When you think of all the necessaries that a home needs to function well and stay healthy, you may not think about your home’s gutters in Plymouth Michigan. But gutter systems play a vital role in preventing damage to your roof, home, and landscape. Plus, they can end up saving you money. All year round, your gutters work with your home to divert moisture and avoid several types of damage. But you need to make sure you are also maintaining your gutters and keeping them in working order.
Why Gutters Are So Important for Your Home in Plymouth Michigan
Keeping your gutters clear where water can exit the roof properly is important but that’s not all there is to it. Sometimes an inspection on the gutters can give an experienced roofer clues about what may be happening on the roof. For instance, if there is lots of granules from the roofing shingles it may signal that your roof shingles are beginning to fail. In order to determine just what shape your gutters are in you’ll need to get a roof inspection which includes the gutter system. Here are more details on why your home’s gutters are so important:
What Gutters Do
Gutters are places along the edge of your roof to help transport water away from your home. This means moisture travels through the piping and exits a downspout, rather than flowing straight down to the ground around your home’s foundation. By moving the moisture away from your home, you avoid water soaking into the area surrounding your foundation and disturbing the soil. Otherwise, you can end up with sinking foundations, making your home crooked, as well as flooding and moisture damage.
Maintaining Gutters
Gutters need to be properly maintained to do their job. The main thing this requires is keeping them clear. Whether it is leaves, bird’s nests, snow or anything else that may find its way into your gutters, it all needs to be removed. Otherwise, you can end up with obstructions that block the way of the water and make it impossible to direct it away from the home. When gutters are blocked, the water will back up and overflow, causing it to land around your home’s foundation. This completely undoes the point of having gutters in the first place.
Backed up gutters can also cause moisture to sit on your roof. This in incredibly dangerous because it allows moisture to get into your home by creating leaks in your roof. When moisture is allowed into your home via your roof, it can accumulate and turn into structural damage of the surrounding wood beams. This can cause rotting, warping and can cause your roof to sag, making it a major health hazard. It can also lead to mold, which can quickly spread throughout your entire home. Mold, especially black mold, is incredibly toxic and can cause health issues like allergies, skin irritation and respiratory problems.
Sitting water can also attract mosquitoes. These insects are both annoying to have around your home, and potentially dangerous as they can spread serious illnesses.
Signs of Gutter Damage
If you think that there may be an issue with your gutters, look for some of the most common signs. The most obvious is overflowing water, or water sitting around your home. You may also notice mosquitoes hanging out around your gutters and moisture damage. That includes wetness around your foundation, water in your basement, leaks in your roof, or water stains around the outside of your home near the gutters. Gutters can also corrode over time, causing leaks throughout the system.
Keeping Healthy Gutters
To keep your gutters working as perfectly as possible, it is recommended that you clean them out at least once a month. This will need to become more frequent in fall if your have nearby trees. You should also look for signs of corrosion or improperly placed gutters. Having a professional come inspect them once a year will help you stay ahead of damage and avoid costly repairs. You should also have a professional handle all repairs and installation needs. If you want to improve your gutter system, you can also install gutter guards to help keep them clear.
If you’re concerned about your gutters or roof be sure to get them inspected by a qualified roofing contractor such as Home Pros Plymouth. Call them today to learn more and schedule your appointment at 734-548-9911.
