Gutterman of TN's Blog
When you own your home, it is important to keep up with your maintenance responsibilities, and it can be helpful to follow seasonal routines when making appointments for professional maintenance services. As we 
begin to head into fall, now is the best time to make sure that your gutter system is repaired and ready to protect your home from moisture issues. For years, The Gutterman of TN has been providing professional home gutter maintenance, repair, and installation services to the middle Tennessee region, and we can get your gutters ready for fall with our Safeguard Gutter Guard installation services. We would like to tell you more about why you should have your gutter system repaired before fall and how a gutter guard system can benefit you.
Why do I need to have my gutter system repaired before fall?
When your gutter system is not in the best condition when fall arrives, you risk spending more money on extensive repair work in the future. The Gutterman of TN is here to help you get your gutters ready for fall, and we want your home to be as protected as possible against wet leaves and other debris. Without a gutter system that is in good condition, you have a higher risk of foundation issues and other problems associated with water leaks. After we have repaired your gutter system, you will not have to worry about clogging problems. If your gutters usually get clogged easily, we can talk to you about how Safeguard gutter guards can benefit your home.
What are the benefits of gutter guards?
One of the reasons why The Gutterman of TN recommends Safeguard gutter guards is how they can strengthen your gutter system. When we install your gutter guards, you will see how the patented installation design stabilizes your system. This helps to keep your gutters from becoming detached from your home during strong wind and rainstorms. Not only are the guards made from stainless steel, but it is screwed tightly to your gutter system in a way that allows torque to reduce maintenance and to ensure the system lasts longer.
Will your gutter system be ready for the arrival of fall this year? Do not hesitate to contact us at The Gutterman of TN so that we can get your damaged gutters repaired before the leaves begin falling from the trees. When you go ahead and make your appointment now for our professional gutter repair services, we will get your gutter system in the best shape to protect your home from moisture damage.
Gutters are essential in keeping your home safe from water damage. Bad gutters can cost you thousands in repairs. If you’re not a gutter expert, though, how can you tell if your gutters are due to be replaced? Here are some signs that your home needs new gutters.
Cracks, holes or gaps in the gutters
An obvious sign that your gutters need to be replaced are cracks, holes or gaps of any kind in your gutters. Cracks, holes and gaps in your gutters allow water to flow down against your home and land near your home’s foundation. In a heavy rainstorm or heavy snowmelt, they could lead to basement flooding or even foundation damage. If you see cracks, holes or gaps in the gutter in even a minor degree, your gutters should be replaced to keep your home safe from water damage.
Discoloration or paint damage on your gutter
Even if cracks, gaps or holes aren’t clearly visible on your gutters, your gutters might show you other signs that water is leaking through and that they are no longer holding all of the water that flows off your roof. Signs that water is seeping through the gutters include paint peeling off of the gutters or rust or discoloration on the gutters. Pay close attention to seams and joints on the gutters, where leaks are likely to develop first.
Sagging gutters
Your gutters should form a tight, clean line along your roof to ensure that water is flowing directly into, and not around or under, the gutters. Sagging gutters indicate that your gutters are due to be replaced or repaired.
Water damage on your home’s exterior
Your gutters might look like they are in good repair, but your home’s exterior might be showing you signs that gutters aren’t doing their job of keeping water away from your home. Check your soffit, siding, wood trim, paint, doorways and windows for signs of water damage, including bubbling, peeling paint, rotten wood, mildew or discoloration. These are all signs that your gutters are failing and allowing water to damage your home, and waiting to replace gutters can result in serious home damage.
Puddles of water around the home
Take a walk around your home after it rains. Do you see puddles forming around your home’s foundation? Where puddles have formed, look up to see if gutters are leaking, sagging or failing. If gutters are allowing water to access your home’s foundation, your home is at risk of major damage.
Moisture or mildew in the basement
Signs of gutter failure don’t just happen around your home’s exterior; you also should take a look at your basement. If gutters are failing and allowing water to access your home’s foundation, your basement very likely will show you signs of water collecting around its exterior. If your basement is damper than normal, if you see mildew or discoloration along the walls or ceiling or if your basement floods when it rains, it’s time to have your gutters evaluated by a professional.
Don’t let failing gutters allow water to damage your home! If you see signs that your gutters need to be replaced, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule an inspection and consultation today!
When it comes to getting your gutters cleaned, most homeowners underestimate the importance of it. You should really get your gutters cleaned, especially in the winter season as fall brings so much debris and leaves into your gutters. Here’s what you need to know about making sure your gutters are ready for the holiday season.
Why your gutters must be cleaned before the holidays
The fall season collects so much debris and leaves in your gutters. If the debris isn’t removed before the winter holidays, it can cause serious problems for your home. Clogs in the gutters or downspouts allow water to pool in your gutters. During the rainy fall weather, that can lead to overflowing gutters to flood your landscaping, walkways, foundations and basements. This can cause water damage to your home sidings, roof windows, and door frames.
When temperatures drop, the water that is trapped inside the gutters to freeze, causing more problems. When your gutters are filled with debris and ice, water that comes off of your warm roof can be forced backward under your roof, causing water damage, rot, and mold to your attic and roof structure.
The dangers of clogged gutters
A gutter that is full of water and debris can cause lots of problems, especially when the temperatures drop. The weight of the ice in the gutter can cause it to sag or fall off entirely. They also cause severe ice dams on your roof. As the warmth of your attic melts rooftop snow, that water flows down toward your gutters. When gutters are too full to accommodate water, this freezes on the edges of your home and builds up heavy layers of ice. This is called the ice dams, on your roof’s edge. Water flowing off your roof can’t flow through the gutters. This can also overflow the gutter’s edge, causing a dangerous buildup of icicles.
Once gutters are cleared, they should be kept that way for the winter! If you don’t want to be stuck pulling leaves and debris out of your gutters in icy, freezing weather, consider installing gutter guards. Gutter guards keep debris out while also allowing water and melted snow to flow through your gutters.
Why your gutters should be inspected for the winter
It’s very important to get your gutters inspected for the winter. Downspouts should be checked to make sure they are attached to the gutter systems and free from debris. The gutters should also be checked for cracks or damage too. Seams and anchors should be checked to ensure that they are securely holding gutters in place. Finally, the exterior of your home including fascia, siding, and landscaping, should be checked. Your gutters aren’t adequately shuttling water away from your home and could be causing damages.
If you need help preparing your gutters for the holidays or address any winter gutter problems, call The Gutterman of TN today! Gutterman, Scott Brasfield, has the experience and the certifications to address any of your gutter needs!
Gutter cleaning is, perhaps, one of the most universally loathed home maintenance tasks. Few homeowners relish climbing a latter and pulling out the leaves and underlying muck. While this chore is despised, it’s also incredibly important. When you allow leaves to build up in your gutters, you see some ill effects in and around your home.
Overflowing gutters
When your gutters are full of leaves, rainwater can’t flow through your gutters and away from your home. During a heavy or long-lasting rainstorm, you will see your gutters begin to overflow. Overflowing gutters might seem innocent enough, but they’ll actually lead to some serious problems with your home, including:
• A flooded basement. Believe it or not, overflowing gutters can lead to a flooded basement. When large amounts of water are deposited next to your home, the water has nowhere to go. It can seep down through the soil around your home and into through the walls of your basement, causing flooding and damage.
• Stained or rotted woodwork. As water flows down the exterior walls of your home, it can cause damage to the wood framing around your doors and windows, and it can cause staining on siding and doors. The longer gutters are allowed to overflow, the worse the damage is likely to be.
• Damaged landscaping. An excess of water striking your landscaping can ruin the aesthetic. It can wash away mulch, flowerbed, retaining walls and landscape features; it can kill plants; and it can destroy sidewalks, patios, and walkways.
• Deteriorated foundation. The worse of the damage caused by overflowing gutter is a deteriorated foundation. Wet soil can introduce moisture to the masonry materials of your foundation, which can cause it to crack or weaken. As the wet soil around your foundation shifts, it can cause your foundation to shift and suffer damage, as well.
Overloaded Gutters
Too much debris built up in your gutters eventually will become too much for your gutters to endure. When gutters become too heavy, they will droop, pull away from your home and crack. Not only does this cause permanent damage to your gutters, but it can also degrade the look of your home.
Ice dams
When leaves are left in the gutter over the winter, the likelihood of problems increases. The water in the gutters will freeze. The ice can weigh down gutters and cause damage. It also can cause ice dams that can damage your roof. Snow on your rooftop melts due to heat coming out of your attic. As the water flows down your rooftop, it will have nowhere to go when gutters are already filled with ice. The water will be forced back into your rooftop. There it can cause water damage, or it can refreeze and cause large, damaging, dangerous ice dams on your rooftop.
If you hate cleaning your gutters but don’t want to face the ill effects of clogged gutters, The Gutterman of TN can help! We can install gutter guards on your gutters to prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutters in the first place, eliminating the need for gutter cleaning while keeping your home safe with a functioning gutter system.
Few homeowners look forward to climbing their ladders to clear the muck and debris from their gutters. But failing to do so can have major impacts on your home that could lead to even bigger messes and even expensive property damage. Especially in winter, when gutters are working overtime to shutter rain, sleet and melting snow from your roofline, keeping your gutters clean is crucial. Here’s why keeping your gutters clean is so important.
Preventing Roof Damage
A new roof is an expensive home repair. Fortunately, roofs can last for decades, provided their properly cared for. One of the best things you can do to protect your roof from damage is to clean your gutters! When your gutters are clogged, water and wet debris back up into your roofline. It can cause the roof to rot, mold and decay. If neglected for too long, clogged gutters can even cause water to back up underneath your roof, where it can cause the roof joists and support to warp or rot. Roof replacement becomes even more extensive and costly when gutters are neglected year after year. Water freezing in the gutters or along the roofline can drive water up under the roof even faster in winter months. Prevent roof damage by making sure your gutters are clear this winter.
Keeping Gutters Healthy
Like your roof, your gutters are made to last for decades. But dirty gutters will break down prematurely. Debris rotting in the gutters can cause gutters to rot and crack. The weight of debris, or ice that freezes in clogged gutters when water can’t get through, can cause gutters to sag away from your home or even break away entirely. Keep your gutters healthy by keeping them clean from debris.
Protecting Your Walkways and Driveways
Keeping water away from your home becomes even more important in the winter. Fluctuating winter temperatures can cause water to melt one day and freeze the next. When water pours from your home on a sunny day, it can do major damage to your walkways, driveways and masonry landscape features when temperatures drop again. That’s because concrete, stone, brick and other masonry materials absorb water. When temperatures drop and water freezes within the masonry material, cracks and holes form. Keeping your gutters clean can protect your walkway, driveway or masonry landscape feature from freeze-thaw damage.
Preserving Your Foundation
Just as the freeze-thaw cycle can damage your walkways, it can damage your foundation! In fact, the main purpose of gutters is to shutter water away from your foundation. Any time of year, water pooling around your foundation can cause everything from a flooded basement to a shifting foundation. In the winter, as the water around your home freezes and thaws, causing the ground around your home to contract and expand, water around your foundation can become even more dangerous. Gutters need to be kept clear year round to protect your foundation from water damage.
If you hate cleaning your gutters but want to protect your home from water and ice damage all year, The Gutterman of TN has a solution for you: SafeGuard Gutter Guards! Call us today to hear how gutter guards can keep your gutters flowing while eliminating the need for gutter cleaning.
By now, the trees have dropped all of their leaves: Have you cleared out your gutters yet? To avoid problems with your gutters, roof, or basement — clean out your gutters now! Do this before temperatures drop and water freezes for the winter.
Why you need clean gutters for the winter:
While keeping gutters clear is always crucial to preventing flooding or damage to your roof, walls, basement, landscaping and foundation, clean gutters become even more important in winter. That’s because clogged gutters prevent water from passing properly through the gutters. In warm weather, that can cause gutters to overflow. In cold weather, however, that water can freeze in the gutters and cause even more damage, including:
- Icicles.
When clogged gutters overflow in freezing temperatures, major icicles can result. Icicles might seem innocent enough, or even picturesque, but they can serve as a hazard. They may cause gutters to sag away from the house due to the added weight of the ice.
- Ice dams.
The most serious problem that results from clogged gutters in the winter is ice dams. Ice dams form on the edges of your roof when the snow on your rooftop melts because of the warm air in your attic. As the water hits the colder edges of the roofline, and can’t enter the gutters because of clogging, the water freezes and can form massive ice formations that can damage your roof or your home structure.
- Gutter and roof damage.
Anytime you invite water and ice to build up around your gutters and your roofline, you invite the opportunity for damage and mold. Clogged gutters can force water back up under your roof, where it can damage the roof structure or the wooden supports of your home, or cause mold or mildew to develop. The weight of the ice on your gutters and roof can cause buckling, cracking and other damage.
Keep your gutters flowing this winter with gutter guards:
There is one simple solution to preventing the buildup of ice in your gutters and on your rooftop due to clogged gutters: Gutter guards! Gutter guards prevent debris from entering your gutter and causing clogs that stop water from flowing freely through your gutters. At The Gutterman of TN, we install SafeGuard Gutter Guards. With SafeGuard Gutter Guards, the unique steel mesh that tops the gutters prevents any clog-forming debris from finding its way into your gutters so your gutters keep flowing all year long.
To keep your gutters and your home safe from damage due to ice dams and icicles, make sure you clean all of the leaves and debris out of your gutters before temperatures drop below freezing and the snow begins to fall. If you want to make this fall the last fall you have to clean out your gutters to prevent wintertime damage, call The Gutterman of TN to ask about installing SafeGuard Gutter Guards on your new or existing gutters.
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