Do you want to know why rain gutters play such an important role in your home? They safeguard your property from water damage, as they redirect rainwater away from your house. For this, it is vital to have a properly working rain gutter system. It may seem a breeze to do, but the reality is that it takes time and effort from homeowners to keep rain gutters in excellent condition and correctly working.
Having said that, it is understandable that a homeowner’s everyday activities sometimes stand in the way of routine upkeep of the rain gutter system. Luckily, a homeowner has the option of employing a professional rain gutter company. Nonetheless, a homeowner needs to be attentive to the viewable signs that their gutters show when they need to be refurbished.
The following are the top seven indicators that will aid you in identifying if your rain gutters need a renovation:
1. Stagnant Water
If you notice stagnant water near the downspout outlets it could mean that something is defective in your drainage system. The pooled water can readily reach your house foundations, triggering far reaching structural issues to your property. Downspouts are crucial components of your rain gutter system since they ferry rain water coming down from the gutters to a specific location on the ground, away from your home. However, when they are in need of repair they can start transporting the water to the wrong spot, producing flooding in your yard and garden. This kind of situation warrants immediate attention to protect the structural integrity of your home’s foundation.
2. Rotting Fascia
The fascia fashions a surface along the edge of the roof, making an obstruction against rainwater precipitation and guarding the house from extreme weather scenarios. It also covers breaches between the roof and the walls preventing vermin and pests from entering.
When your rain gutters overflow, fascia is harmed by this sustained accumulation of water and consequently will rot quickly, especially if you have wooden fascia. If you have observed this condition in your house, it’s time to restore your rain gutters so as not to go through a time-consuming and costly process of replacing your roof fascia.
3. Messy Facade
Walls discolored by mud splashed against your home’s siding can create an unkempt appearance, but that’s not the only problem. It’s also a sign of the malfunctioning of your rain gutter system. When this occurs, the most frequent reason is the overflow of your gutters precipitated by a clog, and it needs to be fixed ASAP. Bear in mind that an engaging curb appeal adds monetary value to your property and thus it’s essential that you keep your rain gutter system functioning properly. You don’t want faulty gutters that make your home look grungy and unmaintained.
4. Sagging Gutters
When the rainy season starts, your gutters can become very heavy because of the rainwater’s weight. When this occurs, gutters constructed of vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized steel may sag, bend, or their hangers can loosen. In this instance, your gutters cease to function properly and rainwater pools alongside their lengths. This stagnant water will exacerbate the problem, adding more weightiness which creates more sagging. Don’t disregard this sign. Seek out professionals as soon as possible to find the best solution, either repair your gutters or replace them.
5. Overflowing Gutters
Having overflowing gutters is a hazardous problem that can cause significant degradation to your property. There are three possible reasons for this: your gutters are not long enough, your downspouts are clogged, or your gutters are sagging which prevents water from reaching the downspouts. To ascertain the origin of the overflow it is recommended that professionals in the field make an evaluation, so they can give you a plan of action.
6. Pests
When your rain gutters pool water, they become a perfect breeding place for mosquitoes and other pests, making it challenging to enjoy your outdoors. There could also be animals that make your gutters their home like birds, mice, possums, and even snakes. Make sure your gutters are free from pests and nests so water can flow freely away from your home.
7. Cracks and Holes
If you notice small cracks and holes along your rain gutters, don’t gloss over them. If not addressed they can expand over time and leave you with a leaky drainage system, allowing water to flow down your siding, front door, or driveway. This presents a risk for you and your family since these areas will be constantly slick and unsafe. If you are grappling with this issue you may need a substantial repair or replacement of your gutters.
Rainwater can be one of your home’s worst enemies. Water can affect your home’s foundation, basement, siding, roof, and landscaping.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to properly maintain your drainage system to avoid water damage and other problems. As we have indicated, you should check your gutters regularly to verify they are working properly. It’s always better to find problems before they cause damage. If you wait until it’s too late you might find that your home’s foundation is compromised, which can be extremely expensive to fix.
Water damage can put you and your family at risk, and it can come from many different sources, but there are three main types of water damage:
Clean Water
This water damage is “clean” because the leaking water does not contain any contaminants. This kind of damage can come from an overflowing sink or bathtub, a broken waterline, or even a malfunctioning appliance. Even though the water may not contain any contaminants, it could still cause a lot of issues if it is not taken care of in time.
Gray Water
This water contains contaminants. Gray water can come from snow or rainfall, a dishwasher, or an overflowing toilet without feces. If you don’t take care of gray water immediately it can, like clear water leaks, cause serious problems.
Black Water
This is the most dangerous type of water damage. It includes sewage, ground water, or water from rivers or streams, which may contain pathogenic, fungal, and viral contaminants. Black water can pose serious health risks to anyone who comes in contact with it without protection. When removing black water, the best and safest option is to hire professionals. Anything that is contaminated by black water is unusable and has to be thrown away.
Fixing Water Damage
Here is how much money you would have to spend to fix water damage to the following areas of your house:
Attic
Cost: $1200-$2000
Attic damage is generally caused by leaks or drainage systems that are not working properly. In the best case scenario, your attic will be full of clean water and you will just need to repair a broken pipe.
If it is gray water, you probably will need to replace your carpet and anything that got wet.
The worst case scenario is black water. Even a small amount of black water can pose a major health risk, which means that you will have to toss out anything that gets wet.
Floor and Roof
Cost: $1500-the total cost of your house
If your floor is flooded, there is a high probability that you are dealing with black water. Everything that was exposed to the water needs to be replaced, which could include furniture, carpeting, appliances, books and clothing. You will need to clean up all the mud and debris and check your walls for any broken or leaking pipes.
You likely will need to replace your drywall, but that isn’t your only problem. The water also could have damaged the structure of your home, which you will also need to examine.
If there is damage to the roof prepare for the worst. It might be impossible to save it, but you will need to pay professionals a lot of money to make your house habitable again. That’s why it’s better to properly maintain your drainage system than it is to spend a lot of money to fix water damage or buy a new house. Do not put your family at risk!
Preventing Water Damage
There are many different ways that water can damage your home, but is there a way to prevent water damage? Here are some simple tips:
1. Clean Your Rain Gutters Regularly
This needs to be on the top of your list. Be mindful of the fact that gutters can get clogged or leak, which will likely end up causing a multitude of headaches, including water seeping into your home’s foundation. Although you can clean your gutters by yourself, your best option is to hire qualified professionals to do it for you.
2. Always Check Your Water Bill
As odd as it may sound, checking your water bill is one way to thwart water damage. Why? Many water pipes are hidden behind walls or under the floors of your home, which makes it difficult for you to spot a leak. An excessively high bill might be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your home. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your water bill.
3. Check Your Household Appliances
Washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters can cause water damage. They have rubber fittings that wear out over time. If a fitting needs to be replaced it will probably start leaking and could cause considerable problems, which is why you should regularly check your household appliances.
It is essential to upgrade your rain gutters to prevent future damage. As soon as you notice any signs of deterioration, you should look for a reliable rain gutter company instead of trying to fix the problem by yourself. No matter how simple it seems, without the proper tools and parts, most DIY repairs are inadequate and you can end up spending more money on costly repairs.
Jimmy’s Gutter Service guarantees the best results without wasting your time or money. We have over 25 years of experience installing and repairing rain gutters and downspouts. Call us at (843) 505-2371 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment with us. We’ll be glad to assist you!
