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Gutter Installation Tips
Installing gutters on your home can be a seemingly small addition but can
prove to be very valuable to a home owner in a number of ways. Here are a few
tips to keep in mind when considering gutters for your home.
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Gutters will help properly drain water away from your home. This will help
ensure that water is properly displaced from the roof of your home and help
prevent leaking and water damage to vital aspects of your home like the
foundation, siding, windows and doors.
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There are a quite a few different styles and forms that gutters come in, as
well as how they are installed and mounted. Research and talk over with a
gutter installation contractor what style would best suit your home.
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When choosing a gutter system keep in mind the weather, and if there are
trees overhanging your home which would cause clogging of the downspouts.
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If you are re-roofing your home it may be an ideal time to also install
gutters, as mounting them will be easier and more efficient. The
gutters will also help protect the roof from water damage in the future.
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The most common materials that gutters are made from are aluminum and steel.
Each have their strengths and weaknesses. Aluminum is not as expensive as
steel and you do not have to worry about it rusting. Steel gutters are
more sturdy, which is beneficial if your home is in an area that
experiences a significant amount of wear and tear from the storms
and high winds.
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When having the gutters installed, find out from the contractor what type of
maintenance they need, and how often they should be cleaned for optimal
effectiveness.
Contractors that do this may also provide the following services:
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Roofing
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Siding
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Garage Doors
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Getting Rid of Runoff Water
By July Black
Water can be detrimental to your home. Any rain and snow falling on your roof is your home's enemy, and should be eliminated as efficiently as possible. Accumulated water can easily seep into the structure of your home, whether on the roof or the foundation, and result in serious damage.
Preventing water from damaging your home is the first step towards a happy home. All that is needed for good surface drainage is a properly angled roof, gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions.
The roof is the first step to eliminating runoff water. It should be appropriately angled according to the environment in which it stands. Higher pitched roofs are common in areas where there is heavier snowfall, as falling snow can easily slide off the roof. In areas where there is a lot of rainfall, it is important that roofs be pitched in a manner that allows rainwater to flow into the gutters. This will prevent water from accumulating on the roof and destroying it. Therefore, most homes in North America are not flat, as it is more difficult to eliminate runoff water.
Your roof angles runoff water into the gutters attached along its perimeter. It is important that with faster and heavier rainfall, gutters be larger to accommodate all runoff water. If gutters are too small, water will splash over the sides and still be able to cause damage to your home.
Gutters should be checked and cleaned on a routine basis. Any leaks should be sealed with caulking, while debris clogging the gutters should be removed. It may be a time consuming task, but it will save you the grief caused by severe damage that could potentially destroy your home.
The vertical piping connected to the gutters are the downspouts. Downspouts forge a path for runoff water to be able to reach the ground. Like your gutters, they should be sized appropriately so that all water can be collected without spillage and be cleaned and checked routinely for leaks. Normally, downspouts are attached at the corners of a house. For surface drainage, a curved connection at the end to angle draining water away from the foundation is common. However, this is not sufficient to prevent water from leaking into your basement and adversely affecting the foundation of your home.
Which is why downspout extensions are required. Downspout extensions simply attach to the bottom of downspouts. Extending a few feet away from your home, they collect runoff water and direct it well away. A good downspout extension will also disperse the pressure of draining water so that it does not hit the ground heavily.
This article has been brought to you by Getting Rid of Runoff Water
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=July_Black
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Installing Gutters: Critical Tips
By Bill Urell
If you have decided to replace your gutters, your next decision is whether to do it yourself or pay for professional installation. If you decide on installing gutters yourself, there are a few things you should consider before installing them. Decide exactly where the gutters will go before installing them. Many people place gutters in the front and back of their homes. Depending on how much rain an area receives, a person might only have to install gutters on the back of the house.
You most certainly will want to consider the look of the gutters on your house. You may want simple replacement but gutters can also be a decorative accent on your home. Measure carefully how long the back and front of the house is before buying gutters. Installing gutters can be frustrating if the wrong amount and the wrong size is purchased. They will need to be custom cut to fit any poor measurements which can take up valuable time and sap your energy.
There are many different styles of gutters. Be sure to choose the appropriate style for the specific area of the house. If the house is surrounded by trees, then installing gutters that will not trap debris as easily is a smart decision. If the house is not surrounded by trees, then choose gutters that can handle the amount of rainfall an area typically receives. Some gutters are deeper and wider than others. Be sure to purchase gutters that will be able to hold the right amount of water that typically falls in your geographical area. Installing gutters should be done every few years depending on the gutter�s condition.
When installing gutters, take the time and effort to make sure you do it properly. If a gutter is not attached securely, it may fall off during a heavy rainstorm. Wind and other weather could also cause the gutter to become loose. This could cause water to build-up and create puddles. A gutter that is attached securely will not be damaged by heavy rain. Gutters should also be attached correctly and should not bend or be attached at an angle. This will not allow the water to flow freely through the gutter. If a person is not able to install gutters themselves, there are many companies that can. These gutters should come with a guarantee. This will help if the gutters are damaged during a heavy rainstorm.
The number one enemy of your house is water, and gutters are a first line of defense.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Urell