| Exterior Home Care Starts With Gutter Maintenance |
| Written by Hubert Miles |
| Wednesday, 14 October 2009 12:44 |
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The primary function of gutters are to remove storm water from the roof and discharge it away from the foundation. This is generally done either above ground or under the ground in a series of drain pipes. When operating correctly gutters will protect the exterior of the home and foundation or basement from flooding with water during a rainstorm.
The primary function of gutters are to remove storm water from the roof and discharge it away from the foundation. This is generally done either above ground or under the ground in a series of drain pipes. When operating correctly gutters will protect the exterior of the home and foundation or basement from flooding with water during a rainstorm. The trouble with gutters is that they require regular cleaning to operate correctly. Many times homeowners neglect to clean their gutters. This leads to gutters being blocked by straw, leaves, and other organic material. If gutters become clogged, the water backups and overflows which if not corrected could rot the wood on the eaves and cause the gutter to pull away from the eave. Your gutters ought to be cleaned at least twice a year. Many homeowners think that the gutters won't need cleaning if they don't have trees in their yard. The fact is that between the wind and birds, leaves and straw can still end up in your gutters. You may need to clean your gutters more often if you have a lot of trees around your house. Many gutter installers offer a service contract to the homeowner where the installer will clean the gutters twice a year. These contracts often come with a limited warranty since the installer is able to inspect the gutters on a routine basis and catch minor problems before they become major repairs. You can also clean your gutters yourself if you feel so like it is something you can do safely. We recommend that if your home has a steep or moderately sloped roof or your roof is higher than one story that you hire a professional for the job. Don't risk getting yourself injured by attempting to do a job yourself just to save a little money. Closing remarks Maintaining your gutters is an important part of your homes overall maintenance. The task of keeping your gutters clean will pay for itself over time. About the Author: Hubert Miles is a blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Lakefront Properties. Get more information on Lakefront Property websites. |