Construction & Contractors Blog
As a homeowner, you may allocate a fair amount of time to maintenance tasks and know how important it is to keep up to avoid bigger problems in the future. Yet, if you're like many other property owners, you may overlook gutter maintenance, especially if everything seems to look "okay" from afar, down below. Yet, this is one of the most critical areas when it comes to potential problems, and if your gutters are not performing as they should be, many issues can arise. What risks are you taking if you don't pay close attention?
Losing Efficiency
When the homebuilder first installed your gutters, they set them very precisely to channel water for the best effect. They were installed with a gentle gradient to facilitate water movement and designed to accommodate even the wildest of storms.
Yet, with the passing of time, they may no longer be as efficient. Heavy winds may have caused their overall position to shift so the water does not flow as well as it used to. Twigs, leaves and other debris may inevitably accumulate and will usually build up around the top of any downpipe. In addition, certain animals like birds, rodents, insects or hornets may want to set up home if you haven't cleaned your gutters for a long time.
Water Backup
In this situation, water will invariably back up and roll over the sides of your guttering. It may find its way under the eaves and into your attic space or simply run down the siding or exterior wall.
Major Problems Ahead
If water gets into your attic, this could lead to issues with damp accumulation in an already humid area, triggering mould or moss. This will then eat away at any exposed wooden surfaces. Where the water rolls down the side of your house instead, it will accumulate around the foundations rather than being diverted away through strategically located downspouts. If your foundation becomes saturated, you might compromise your damp proof layer, leading to more water infiltration, cracks in the concrete or spalling.
Being Safe Rather Than Sorry
When your guttering system has seen its glory days, it's better to invest in a new system. The contractors will ensure that it is properly configured to gather stormwater and divert it away from your property instead. Reach out to these experts, and they will advise you on what to do next.
For more information, contact a company that offers residential gutter installation.
Share13 April 2022
Welcome to my blog, my name is Blake and from now on, I will be writing a series of blogs which will deal with the process of finding and working with contractors when constructing a new building. I am not a construction specialist but last summer I gained a lot of experience in this area when I hired a team of 32 contractors to build a holiday home. When hiring contractors, it is important that you understand how to communicate with them and their ways of working. Below are a series of blogs which will help you to find the best contractors.