April 2018 - Gutterman of TN

Why Installing Gutters Isn’t A DIY Project

Have spring rains proven that your gutters are no longer serving their purpose? The thought of replacing your gutters might have you wondering whether you can install new gutters yourself.
Installing gutters isn’t a DIY project. Here’s why:

Gutters have to be the right size

Did you know gutters come in all different sizes, and even in different shapes? The size and pitch of your roof, the layout of your home and how much rain tends to fall on your house all impact what size gutters you need. The best way to make sure your gutters are properly sized for your home is to hire a professional who is trained and knowledgeable in sizing and installing gutters.

Gutters have to be the right pitch

It’s not just about size; gutters also have to be properly pitched. If your gutters don’t follow the right slope, water will pool instead of flowing smoothly to the downspouts. A gutter professional will ensure that your gutters are pitched to keep the water flowing.

Gutters require the right amount of downspouts

Those properly sized and sloped gutters need to let the water out somewhere. Downspouts evacuate the water from your gutters. Without the right amount, right size and right placement of downspouts, gutters will overflow or pool water.

Improperly placed downspouts can cause damage

Speaking of downspouts, downspouts that deposit water too close to your home can cause damage to your foundation. At the very least, downspouts require splash pads to catch the water and funnel it away from your home’s foundation. Depending on the drainage around your home, you might also need extenders or drains for your downspouts to keep your home safe. A professional gutter installer can advise you on what’s best for your home.

Improperly installed gutters can damage your roof

How much do you know about gutters and roofing? Your gutters work in conjunction with your roof. Sometimes hanging gutters can reveal roof problems. Or, if gutters aren’t installed properly along your roof, they can put pressure on your roof, cause flooding against your roof or cause other types of gutter issues. A professional gutter installer knows how to place gutters without causing harm to the roof.

Gutter installation can be dangerous

There’s a reason people hate to clean out or maintain their gutters: Getting up on a latter to do work along your roof-line can be dangerous! A misplaced ladder or an accidental fall could result in serious injury or worse. Personal safety is one of the main reasons to trust your gutter installation to a professional.

You won’t save as much as you think

It might seem like a money saver to install gutters by yourself, but it won’t save you as much money as you think. You’ll have to buy plenty of gutters, fasteners, and brackets, and you’ll have to figure out how to transport long sections of gutters from the home improvement store. Not to mention that any gutters you by from the home improvement store will be lower quality seemed gutters.

Is it clear that your gutters are ready for replacement? Call The Gutterman of TN! We can find the right gutters for your home and install gutters the right way to keep your home safe from damaging water runoff.

Are Your Gutters Ready for the Rainy Season?

April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also bring leaking roofs, wet basements, and washed out landscaping. A key to preventing these rainy season headaches is having gutters that are in good shape and ready to usher water away from your home. As we enter into the rainiest time of year here in central Tennessee, it’s time to ask yourself: are your gutters ready? Here’s our checklist for ensuring that your gutters can handle spring. Gutters Ready for the Rainy Season - Nashville TN - Gutterman of TN

Clean your gutters

One of the most common causes of gutter failure is blockage. If your gutters are clogged, water will pool in the gutters then overflow, dumping water down the sides of your home and depositing it next to your home’s foundation. To make sure your gutters are ready for spring, take the time to make sure they are clean. Even though you might have cleared out leaves last fall, winter’s melting snow and high winds can bring more debris to your gutters, and animals might have found their way in to build nests or leave behind other debris that could clog gutters.

Secure sagging gutters

The snow and ice that fill your gutters during the winter can weigh them down and cause them to sag. To make sure your gutters are ready for spring showers, take the time to secure any loose sections of gutter to your home so that the rain runs directly from the roof into the gutters, rather than flooding the area between the gutter and the roof, which can cause water damage along with your home’s roofline. If you do notice sagging gutters in need of repair, be sure to check the fascia where the gutters are attached; sometimes sagging gutters have nothing to do with the gutter supports and are instead a sign that the fascia has begun to rot.

Look for leaks

Ice and freezing temperatures also can damage the gutters themselves. Inspect the gutters for holes or cracks that allow water to leak out, rather than following the gutters’ path to the downspouts. The best time to check for leaks is during a rainstorm, so you can see the water dripping from the gutters.

Be sure gutter extenders and splash pads are in place

If your gutter’s downspouts deposit the water collected by your gutters directly next to your home, you’re in trouble. Check your gutters’ downspouts to be sure that there are gutter extenders or splash pads in place to channel the water from your gutters and safely away from your home.

After you perform this bit of springtime gutter maintenance, ask yourself: are your gutters up to the challenge of the rainy season? Even with the maintenance you’ve performed, if your gutters are cracked, sagging or leaking, it could be time for new gutters. If your gutters aren’t ready to protect your home from April’s showers, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule a new gutter consultation today!

Gutterman of TN's Blog