Why Worry About Gutters?
Gutters are an important part of your roof and house system. Gutters help assist your roof in transporting water away from your home. This function helps fight against mold, mildew and even foundation issues. An article by hometips.com explains some key reasons for making sure you have a gutter system that is maintained properly. “Granted, rain gutters aren’t exactly glamorous, but they handle a critical task: routing the runoff from a very large surface—your roof—to proper drainage away from the house. By doing this, they keep your house high and dry, protecting siding, windows, doors, and foundation from water damage,” Hometips.com said.
Types of Gutters
So, what are the types of gutters out there, and what is the difference between the materials? Houselogic has an article, Types of Gutters | Rain Gutters Types | Cost of Gutters, that breaks down everything you need to know. Houselogic says that residential gutters are made from many different metals, such as aluminum, copper, seamless aluminum, steel, vinyl and zinc.
- Aluminum is one of the most commonly used materials for gutters. Aluminum gutters are lightweight and easy to install.
- Copper isn’t used quite as often but looks elegant and does not rust. It is expensive and usually used on high-end properties.
- Seamless gutters are usually made with aluminum and are made on the property. They are less likely to have leaks.
- Steel gutters are strong but may rust over time and they can be pricey.
- Vinyl is another lighter weight option, but it is not as reliable. It is inexpensive but homeowners just beware that the gutters cannot support the weight of things like a latter, etc.
- Zinc is another expensive option that, again, is usually used more high-end properties. Zinc gutters are durable and will last.
Florida Weather Impact
It is particularly important to have a good gutter system in Florida because of how much rain the state gets. “Most homes do need a good rain gutter system to collect the storm water that lands on the roof and direct it away from the house to prevent damage to the structure of your home and to protect your foundation and driveway and sidewalk from pooling water on the sides of your home,” The Spout Off said. The article goes on the explain that gutters also help prevent erosion from around your house and in garden beds.
This means that, especially in Florida where we get a lot of stormy weather, it is vital to regularly clean your gutters so they work with the roof correctly. The Spout Off says: “The rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least twice a year, but more if you have a lot of trees hanging over your house or you live in an area that experiences a lot of storms.” If your roof was built correctly it should drain water off successfully.
Your gutters work hand-and-hand with your roof to move rainwater away from your home. If your roof and gutters are maintained and cleaned properly and consistently, then you won’t run into issue due to stormwater run-off.
Cache Roofing in Jacksonville can help make sure your roof is properly cleaned and maintained.
Cache Roofing’s Worry-Free Roof Program can help you with full-service roof repair and full-service roof protection.
Let Cache Roofing do the cleaning and maintenance for you so you don’t have to worry.
The Spout Off also suggests preparing your roof and gutters for hurricanes. “Keeping your roof gutters clear and in good condition can help reduce the amount of damage your roof takes on and how much water damage seeps into your home. The more prep you do, the less damage you (will) face in the aftermath,” The Spout Off said.
READ BLOG: Prepare Your Roof for Florida Hurricanes
Supporting the Health of Your Home
Overall, you want gutters to help support the function of your roof, and it is important to clean and maintain both your roof and gutters. The Mr. Handy Man blog supports the need for clean gutters. “The reason clogged gutters cause damage is because they let water flow over the sides, where it pools all around the foundation,” the Mr. Hand Man blog said.
“Erosion also causes the foundation to settle. Eventually, you may start to notice uneven floors and cracked walls and chimneys as a result.”
The blog also talks about how the flow of the water, when not carried away from the home properly, drips debris and asphalt shingle particles down the side of the house, staining the home and even potentially rotting the siding on the home. “Rotten siding looks unappealing, but more importantly, it creates holes that invite pests into your home. If enough water seeps through the siding, it could affect your home’s structural integrity and become extremely expensive and difficult to fix,” the Mr. Hand Man blog said.
Making sure your roof and gutters work properly is vital for the overall health of your home. Let Cache Roofing help you maintain the health of your roof.
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