If you want your home to be free from any water damage, periodic inspection of your gutter system is essential. The function of a gutter system is to divert water away from your home’s structure. Over time, just like any other part of your home, gutters too can develop problems. Thorough inspections make sure there are no overt or covert damages that could hamper water drainage efficiency. Only a professional gutter inspection can identify potential problems and prevent their escalation into costly repairs. Below, we have produced a list of important areas that should never be missed during an inspection. If you are hiring a professional gutter inspection service, these areas will also help you evaluate their performance.
Look out for Clogs and Blockages
Debris accumulation is often the most common culprit behind gutter blockages. All kinds of debris, mainly fallen leaves and twigs, obstruct water flow. If left untreated, they can cause overflow, allowing water to seep into your home’s foundations and other critical areas. Basement flooding is also directly associated with this.
A professional gutter inspection will look out for any visible debris accumulation. If there is none, water is allowed to run freely through the gutters and if it spills over to the sides, a clog is present somewhere. Similarly, blocked downspouts are checked.
The most effective solution to prevent clogs and blockages is regular cleaning of gutters. A professional gutter inspection would recommend cleaning your gutters after every season, with special emphasis on the fall season. For additional protection, gutter guards are installed to decrease debris entering.
Plug Leaks and Holes
Leaks and holes can wreak havoc on your home’s structural integrity. Your home’s exterior, fascia boards, and even foundation are affected due to leaking water. Leaks and holes are time-sensitive issues – meaning they worsen over time. It is essential to nick them in the bud.
A professional gutter service will have the expertise to identify them precisely. Commonly used methods include looking for water stains on the exterior walls. Rust-affected areas are the most common sites of leaks and holes. Moreover, check out the seams of your gutters.
Professional gutter services apply good quality waterproof sealants to plug the holes. If the damage is extensive, entire sections are recommended to be replaced.
Sagging Gutters
Sagging gutters are not only unpleasant on sight, they are very damaging to your home’s effective drainage system. Gutters sag when the weight of water and debris is more than they can handle. So, water starts to pool in certain areas. Sagging gutters can also cause the entire gutter sections to collapse.
During a professional inspection, experts start with visible signs of sagging or gutters pulling away. For more thorough inspections, they look for loose screws or nails. Water pooling also indicates that the section is sagging.
Recommended actions include reinforcing the existing fasteners and installing additional support in the form of brackets to support additional water weight. Lastly, gutters are realigned to ensure smooth flow.
Slope Inspection
It is common science that water flows downwards. So, gutters are to be properly sloped to make sure that water flows smoothly toward the downspouts. With a too steep or too shallow slope, smooth drainage won’t be possible. The results are overflow or pooling.
Water pooling is the most visible effect of a fault slope. Professionals use a level to check the status of the gutter slope. Generally, the slope should be about ¼ inch for every 10 feet of gutter. Experts can recommend other figures, depending on the landscape of your home.
If faulty slopes are found during professional gutter inspections, hangers are adjusted to create the optimum slope. Occasionally, entire sections have to be reinstalled to achieve the proper slope.
Downspout Inspection
Dysfunctional downspouts can cause structural damage by allowing water to pool near the foundations. A professional gutter inspection will include checking that these downspouts are properly extended, at least 5-10 feet away from the structure. They will clean it thoroughly and make sure that there are no clogs to back up the water into the gutters. They will also look out for dents, cracks, or separations.
Fascia and Soffit Inspection
Fascia and Soffit boards are installed directly behind your gutters. They are essential to protect your gutters. They also enhance your house’s aesthetic appeal. If they are damaged, water infiltrates into your roof or attic.
Only a professional inspection service can check for signs of rot or decay in these boards. If paint is peeling on the board, it can be a cause of water damage. Insect infestation should also be looked for as it can weaken fascia and soffit boards.
Recommended solutions depend upon the extent of the damage done. To prevent moisture, these boards can be repainted and sealed. Insect treatment options are applied in case of infestations. In case of decayed fascia or soffit boards, they are to be replaced.
Material Strength and Age
The lifespan of a gutter depends upon its material. Similarly, it impacts the frequency of maintenance required. The material and age of the gutter combine to impact its performance.
A proper gutter inspection handled by professionals will look for any signs of wear and tear. Fading, cracking, or rusting will indicate that the gutters are at the end of their lifespan and should be replaced entirely. However, with regular maintenance, the lifespan of a gutter system can be extended somewhat.
Inspect Alignment and Seams
Optimal performance can not be expected from misaligned gutters. The same goes for gutters with loose seams. Professionals, experienced in their work can identify whether gutters are properly aligned with your roof’s edges. Seams are also checked for any gaps between gutter sections. Moreover, the health of sealants is checked.
If found necessary, gutters are realigned by adjusting their hangers. Seams are strengthened by resealing them. If the damage found is uncontrollable, entire sections have to be replaced. A professional service will always use quality materials to ensure longevity. Homeowners tend to ignore periodic inspections with the result that solvable problems are ballooned into costly repairs and even replacements. Proper functioning of the above-mentioned areas is necessary to ensure the health, longevity, and optimal performance of your gutter system. Always go for a proven, experienced, and professional gutter inspection service. DIYing this crucial task can result in spending way more than you intended to save in the first place.
