You can easily increase your chances of not being bothered by gutter and downspout problems. All you need to do is devote one Saturday morning in the spring, and another in the fall, to inspecting, cleaning and repairing your gutters and downspouts. Gutters that are not functioning properly by either leaking, overflowing or draining water against your house can cause serious damage. They can cause ponding water around the foundation, damage the roof and siding, cause crumbling mortar joints, and peeling and cracking of exterior paint.
General Maintenance
Proper inspect and maintenance of gutters and downspouts can prevent serious damage.
Remove Debris
If gutters are not installed with leaf guard, the gutters and downspouts can easily become clogged with leaves and other debris. Gutters can be cleaned using a small broom or brush to remove large debris and then flushing the gutters with water from a garden hose. Clogged downspouts can sometimes be cleared using a garden hose with the nozzle turned on full blast. Serious clogs may require the use of a plumber’s snake. Sometimes the elbows of the downspout will need to be removed to clear really bad obstructions.
Repair Straps & Hangers
Gutters are attached to the house on a slight slope so the water will flow to the downspout. If the gutters are not properly sloped, water can pool and run down the exterior wall. You can check the slope of your gutters by pouring a bucket of water into the end of the gutter opposite the downspout. Gutter straps should also be inspected and broken straps or hangers should be replaced.
Fixing Leaks
Small holes in the gutters can be filled using an epoxy auto body filler kit. Pinhole leaks and leaks at connections can often be sealed with silicone caulking. For larger holes, it may be necessary to replace a section of the gutter.
Surface Care
Vinyl and aluminum gutters do not require a lot of surface care. On the other hand, galvanized steel gutters will rust if they aren’t painted regularly. To paint a galvanized steel gutter, prime the inside and outside of the gutter with a metal undercoating and then apply two coats of metal paint. New gutters must be degrease with vinegar and water or left to weather for six months.
Managing Runoff
The water that is collected by the gutters must be directed away from the foundation. There are several options for managing the runoff water. Subsurface drain lines can be installed, a drywell can be used, or splashblocks can be placed at the bottom of downspouts to divert water from the foundation.
If you want more information or have any questions, please visit our website at www.apextx.com or view our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ApexRoofingInc.
