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Gutters and Downspouts

It seems that everyone knows that they should clean out their gutters twice a year. While this is undoubtedly one of the most important maintenance tasks for homeowners, there are a lot more issues with gutters and downspouts that need attention as well.

The purpose of gutters, and particularly downspouts, is to channel water away from the structure and foundation of a house. The gutters keep the water away from the roof and walls, and the downspouts lead it away from the base of the house. The failure to maintain this system can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in damage to a house.

Cleaning out the gutters is mandatory, but it is an often and neglected chore. Gutters are hard to get to, cleaning them is time consuming and sometimes messy, and there always seems to be something more important to be done. Neglected gutters can result in roof damage, foundation damage, siding damage and roof support damage. Call in some professionals like Ocean County roofing to do it. It’s cheap insurance.

Downspouts are completely useless if a homeowner doesn’t have drainpipes or splash blocks to carry the water away from the house. Either of these solutions are relatively inexpensive, and can save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars in damage to their foundation.

The flashing between the back of the gutter and the wooden support structure must be present and in good condition.

Missing flashing around gutters is a common problem, and homeowners need to get it inspected by a professional to prevent future problems from water getting into the wooden structure.

Gutters must be pitched to allow the water to flow downwards towards the downspouts, and not pool or overflow. Standing water can lead to rust, erosion and mosquitoes. Even a gutter that was properly constructed can develop problems if the hangers sag or excess weight changes the pitch.

The last major area of concern is poor condition of gutters and downspouts. Like almost everything on a house, the drainage system is not meant to last forever. Modern materials are much more durable than the old galvanized steel, and if a house still has galvanized steel, homeowners should consider replacing the entire system. However, even these can deteriorate and get damaged.

If homeowners have not had a professional out in a while, they should schedule an appointment immediately to give their gutters and downspouts an overall inspection and their recommendation for any remedial or preventative measures. After that, gutters should be cleaned twice a year and an annual inspection should be scheduled. Homeowners can save money in the long run. The roofing contractors from Fortified Roofing of Ocean County NJ can answer your questions about skylights or gutters.

Term explained by the roofing contractors from Fortified Roofing of Ocean County NJ:

Flashing

Flashing is a protective product made from material such as copper, soft zinc, or aluminum that is placed around areas through which water can enter. This includes anything protruding from the roof, such as a chimney, the eaves, and windows and doors. Damaged or missing flashing can cause serious structural problems such as rot, mold or mildew.

Ocean County NJ roofing contractors provide a FAQ:

Can holes in gutters be repaired or patched?

Generally speaking, the smaller the hole, the more likely that it is that it can be successfully patched. With a gutter that has holes from rust, it is essential to remove every trace of rust and apply a rust retardant or the problem will just reappear. With a synthetic material that has a hole, an epoxy may do the trick. However, holes may be an indication that there are bigger problems lurking. It’s best to get an opinion from a professional.

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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!

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