It’s not too early to worry about how your gutters held up this winter. We may have a few more weeks in which a snowfall isn’t exactly unexpected (though it may be unwelcome), and right after that comes the busy season for your gutters.
Gutters have it hard all winter, trying to support heavy loads of snow (and possibly ice too). You know how weighty snow can be — you’ve lifted more than a few shovelfuls this year, no doubt. So think of the burden your gutters labor under every time the white stuff fills them up again.
It’s even worse if you neglected to have your gutters cleaned at the end of the fall season. They may still be full of leaves and sticks, which get even heavier when they’re wet.
TAKE A LOOK
Now’s the time to check for damage — before the spring rains begin. Walk around the perimeter of your home checking for any areas in which the gutter may have become separated from the house.
A dangling gutter is one that’s in danger of falling off altogether. It could be due to age or corrosion, but winter storms and the resulting broken tree branches can also cause damage.
Ideally, schedule an inspection after all the leaves have fallen to make sure all your gutters are fastened to your house securely, and they will hold up better throughout the season.
Also look to see if your gutters are sagging anywhere. This usually appears as a bowed area somewhere in the middle of the span. It’s true gutters are supposed to slope downward to direct rain, but this should be practically undetectable to the casual observer.
CALL A PROFESSIONAL
Ice dams can seriously weaken gutters as well as cause roof leaks. If you noticed ice dams on your home over the winter, it’s a good idea to have them checked, and your roof too. The freeze/thaw cycle that causes the sliding snow and the damming can pull the granules off asphalt shingles like a glacier carving out a canyon (but on a much smaller scale, of course), reducing their effectiveness and clogging your gutters in one fell swoop.
Check for split seams as well. Split seams allow water to leak out, leaving your home unprotected.
Compromised gutters can’t do their job of carrying water away from your home. This can result in mold and mildew growth, wood rot, basement flooding, soil erosion, peeling paint and more.
If you have any concerns about your gutters, call the experts at Renovation by Burbach. We can inspect your gutters, soffits and fascia and repair any damage winter weather may have caused. Make sure your gutters are ready for spring — your house will thank you!