The Importance of Gutter Maintenance in Extending Roof Life

 

Could you imagine a home without a roof? Our home’s interior would be completely exposed to the elements, leaving us with a soaking wet interior during rainstorms, freezing temps and snow in the winter, and sweltering summers with severe thunderstorms dropping hail into our homes. Not to mention that critters and burglars would have easy access to our homes.

 

Thank goodness we have roofs that act as a barrier to protect us from the outdoors. We must keep them in excellent shape to protect our homes and ensure they last many years. Roof maintenance isn’t something we often do as homeowners, but there is one way we can extend roof life without touching our roofs – performing maintenance on our gutters. Keep reading to learn about the importance of gutter maintenance in extending roof life so you can protect your investment and keep your home drier!

 

How Gutter Maintenance Affects Roof Life

Our roofs and gutter systems are so close to one another and work together to keep our homes protected from drainage issues. All forms of precipitation land on the roof first and drain into the gutter system, ultimately diverting away from our homes through the gutter system’s downspouts. While gutter systems aren’t considered a part of the roof, they are installed near the roof’s edge so they can effectively collect and drain water.

 

A well-maintained gutter system will extend roof life. How? A clean gutter system keeps water flowing through the system quickly. In contrast, a neglected, dirty gutter system impedes water flow, making it nearly impossible for water draining from the roof to enter the gutters. Clogged gutters have blockages that form from debris that’s left to collect and build up inside a gutter system, blocking water from entering and flowing through the gutter system. 

 

Clogged gutters keep water inside the gutters, forcing it to seep underneath the shingles, damaging them over time. They can also force water to remain on the roof, never allowing it to drain to the gutters and dry. A roof that doesn’t dry after precipitation will develop roof algae, which can cause shingles to deteriorate over time.

 

When a gutter system is clogged, water from the roof can’t move through the gutter system, forcing the water from the roof to flow over the sides of the gutter system, causing the water to overflow. Neglecting to perform gutter maintenance can lead to costly damage to your home, like foundation damage, overflowing gutters, sagging gutters, damage to the soffit and fascia boards, landscaping damage with soil erosion, and, of course, a damaged roof. It’s paramount that you keep your gutters clean to extend the life of your roof.

 

How to Perform Gutter Maintenance

Knowing how dangerous it can be to have clogged gutters, let’s discuss how to perform gutter maintenance so you can keep water flowing freely. First, you’ll want to make sure that you clean your gutters at least twice annually, more if trees surround your roofline. The more trees that border your roofline means more debris like leaves, pine needles, and twigs that will ultimately find their way inside the gutters, significantly increasing the chance of clogs.

 

Before you begin cleaning your gutters, you’ll need to ensure you’re comfortable using a tall ladder. If you’re not, ask a family member or friend to help you, or hire a professional gutter cleaning service to clean your gutters safely. You’ll need to gather the following tools before you start cleaning your gutters:

 

• Tall ladder

• Gloves

• Bucket

• Scoop

• Plumber’s snake (optional for clogged downspouts)

• Garden Hose

 

You can begin by removing debris inside the gutters by scooping out the wet leaves, pine needles, twigs, and even insects or pests that have moved into your gutters and placing the debris inside the bucket. Once you’ve removed as much debris as you can using the scoop and your hands, use a garden hose to flush out the gutters to remove any remaining debris. You’ll need to do this along the perimeter of your home for the entire gutter system.

 

Cleaning your gutters takes a lot of time and can be dangerous since the use of a tall ladder is required. K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop offers a gutter cleaning service that will leave your gutters sparkling clean and free of clogs, helping to extend roof life. While we clean your gutters, we’ll also keep an eye out for gutter damage and suggest repairs that will help keep your gutter system working properly.

 

Gutter Solutions That Extend Roof Life

Seamless Gutters & Guards

Seamless gutters and guards work together to keep debris out of your gutter system and help prevent clogged gutters, keeping your roof drier. At K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop, our seamless gutters and guards are guaranteed clog-free while helping to extend roof life.

 

Our seamless gutters are made of a continuous piece of heavy-duty aluminum, eliminating the need for the gutter system to be installed in sections, each one fastened with plenty of bolts and screws. Sectional gutters often trap debris between the seams, forming clogs that prevent water from draining from your roof and flowing through the system, resulting in roof damage, among other issues.

 

K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop gutters and guards are top-of-the-line, preventing clogs, and backed by warranties. They’re an advanced gutter system for conservation, aiding in extending roof life.

 

The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System

Another advanced gutter system that extends roof life is the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. The K-Guard System is a complete system with multiple components that work together to keep debris like leaves and pine needles out so water can flush through the system quickly. With its innovative curved hood and seamless design, K-Guard prevents all debris from entering the gutters, ensuring no clogs can form. The result? Rainwater can flow freely through the system. Your roof is drier, extending its life and making for a drier home.

 

If your home needs gutters installed or you need to replace your existing gutters and want to extend your roof’s life, consider installing seamless gutters and guards or the K-Guard System from K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop. 

 

We’ve been installing and repairing gutter systems for decades with tens of thousands of happy customers in Lynchburg and surrounding areas. We can help with all your home improvement needs, whether you need help with an insurance claim or a quote for installing a new roof or gutter system. We’re here to help every step of the way throughout the entire process. Contact us today for a free estimate!