Gutters are a common feature that is found on most homes. Yet, this is a part of the house that will often go for extended periods of time without being properly maintained. Homeowners that are guilty of making this mistake will often have a fairly weak knowledge concerning these features. Learning more about gutters and gutter care should help you to be a responsible, informed and efficient homeowner.

Can Improper Gutter Maintenance Cause Damage To Your Home?

Failing to care for the gutters may not seem like it will be a major issue for a homeowner to worry about. However, improper care of the gutters will contribute to water leaking or flowing over the top of the gutters. Regular water exposure can be very damaging to the exterior of the house because the water will be able to rot the wood exterior of the house. By keeping the gutters clean and clear, you can make sure that the water is flowing through the downspouts so that these damages are avoided.

Are There Any Steps That Can Be Taken To Reduce The Workload Of Caring For Gutters?

Gutter cleaning is a task that can take several hours of your time, and it may require extensive labor to complete. Additionally, this will have to be done every few months to keep the gutters working efficiently. For homeowners that will find this chore too difficult or inconvenient to do, it may be possible to drastically reduce the need for this work by installing gutter guards. These devices fit over the top of the gutters, and they will shield the gutters from leaves and other debris. This is usually done with either a screen that has holes small enough to block these items or a slit that is narrow enough to prevent them from easily entering the gutters. Gutters that have these devices on them will still need to be cleaned, but they may be able to go for years between needing this work.

Will A Homeowner Know When Their Gutters Need To Be Upgraded?

Gutters will experience intense wear and tear as a result of being exposed to intense rain, wind and hail. As a result of this wear, you will find that the gutters may start to develop leaks, rust and warping. It may be possible to patch these problems, but this can become increasing commonly as the gutters age. When you find that you are needing to regularly patch the gutters or that there is extensive leaking, it may be more economical to simply replace the entire gutter system.