FL Gutter.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Gutters

Frequently Asked Questions About Gutters

1. Why are gutters important?

There’s not much glamour in gutter protection systems, but according to experts, a properly installed gutter protection system can protect your home from serious damage year-round. Every serious home owner should know that old, damaged or defective gutters have the potential to cause damage to your home.

When gutters clog and the water is not diverted properly, it will overflow into either the house or the foundation. This can cause wood rot, foundation problems, ice damming, and landscaping erosion. Damages associated with clogged gutters are many, however, this fall you can avoid a great deal of expenses and unwanted hassles by installing a gutter protection system.

Gutter protection systems help keep basements and crawlspaces dry, protect siding and windows from harmful backsplash, and prevent staining and rotting the walls of your house. In addition to causing damage to your home, gutters clogged with soggy leaves and debris are also the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as mosquitoes and other pests who are known disease carriers.

So while they may not be flashy, gutters are an important feature of the home, which require a balance of practicality and aesthetics.

2. What are some reasons to replace my gutters?

• Clogged or leaky gutters are one of the biggest causes of basement leaks, mold and other foundation problems. Also, standing water in gutters is one

of the common places mosquitoes breed – mosquitoes are known disease carriers.

• Old worn out gutters look ugly and reduce the value of your property.
• Your old gutters may have become bent or dented or may be pulling away from your property in a manner that they cannot just be reattached or reworked.
• Your old seamed gutters may have begun to pull apart or have drippy leaks and you would like to replace them.
• You want to change the color of your gutters.
• The drainage of your current guttering is not sufficient so you want to install a larger size gutter and downspout system. Most homes and commercial properties have 5 inch gutters with 2×3 downspouts, but we can install 6 inch gutters with 3×4 downspouts when necessary.
• According to experts, gutter cleaning for an average sized home containing 150

  feet of gutters costs approximately $75, and should be cleaned twice a year.

  Over a 30 year period, the total cost would be $4500. By comparison, a lifetime

  lasting gutter protection system, at the price of $15 per foot, would only cost

  $2250 for the average sized home. This makes gutter cleaning twice as costly as

  having a covered gutter protection system installed. And this calculation doesn’t

  even count the cost of damage to a home that can be caused by sub-standard

  gutters.

3. How can I tell if my gutters aren’t draining properly?

If during a rainfall, you can hear the water slapping the ground, pouring over the sides of the gutter, there may be a blockage or the gutter itself may not be aligned evenly. If you notice paint peeling or corroded wood that means the gutter is most likely clogged and is causing the water to overflow and run down the back of gutter along the exterior walls of the house. If you notice mold or if you see puddles of water forming around the outside of your house it’s a sure sign that there are drain¬age problems.

4. What are the different types of gutters available?

All gutters are either sectional or seamless. They come in various materials, sizes and colors. See the “How to Select a Gutter System” section for more details.

5. Do gutters come in various shapes and sizes?

Yes. Most gutters come in several shapes and sizes called profiles. These include U-shape as well as K-shape configurations. In K-shape configurations the ogee-shaped front looks like the letter K allowing the system to have more of a crown molding look rather than a boxy appearance. See the “How to Select a Gutter System” sec¬tion for more details.

6. Why should I replace my gutters if there is nothing wrong with them? Isn’t it easier and cheaper to just cover them up to prevent them from clogging?

Your conventional gutter was designed to be cleaned regularly. Even the best add-on gutter covers often compromise the integrity of the roof. At best they allow longer periods between cleanings, and when cleaning is necessary, they must often be uninstalled to give access to the trough. In the long run, your best bet is to go with a covered gutter protection system, which is designed to be maintenance-free. That way – you will never have to clean or replace your gutters again!

7. Can I install gutters on my own?

Certainly, if you are a regular Mr. do-it-yourself and are comfortable on a ladder, you can put up sectional gutters but you’ll need a qualified professional to install the seamless gutter protection system.

8. What does “Limited Lifetime Warranty” mean?

Limited Lifetime Warranty means that your product will be free of defects for the life of the product. This does not mean the product will last your lifetime. In order words, if you move or sell your house, the gutter warranty will no longer be appli¬cable to the new home owners.

9. Have more questions?

No problem. To get a chance to ask the tough questions of a highly qualified expert in your area just pick up the phone and call 800-396-7404. Take charge and protect your home starting now!

About the Author

S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows is Maryland’s leading company in roofing and maintenance-free home exteriors. Family-owned and operated since 1980, S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows provides high-quality exterior home workmanship and customer service that is among the best in the industry. We offer maintenance-free home exteriors including roofing, siding, windows, doors, gutters and downspouts, custom trim/wrap, and decks.

To learn more visit SKRoofing.com.

True North Eavestroughing – Downpipes and Diverters

The Emsco Group 2275 Rescue Dual Downspout Diverter $28.77 The universal Dual downspout diverter fits both standard and 2” x 3” or oversized 3” x 4” downspouts. Diverts rainwater from your downspout and transfers it to a collection vessel (barrel, etc.)….

Fiskars 5962 Rain Barrel DiverterPro Kit, Black $30.15 Add our worry-free diverter to your rain barrel system to maximize efficiency. Our worry-free DiverterProTM Rainwater Diverter filters out debris while always channeling overflow away from your house to protect the foundation. A smart design offers improved rainwater capture during heavy downpours, connection to multiple rain barrels, an easier-to-clean filter and easy winterization. Best of all,…

RTS Home Accents 5510-001100-5600 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel with Brass Spigot, Wood Grain $104.98 With this Rain Barrel, you can conserve water and lower your water bill! SAVE BIG! You probably recycle cans, newspaper and bottles already… recycle your rainwater, too. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it saves you money on your water bill. You see, this Rain Barrel can hold up to 50 gallons of rainwater. That’s 50 gallons you don’t have to pay for! Constructed of heavy-duty molded plas…

Flex-Drain 53102 Downspout Adaptor, Landscaping Drain Pipe Adapter 3 by 4 by 4-Inch $2.76 Available in both 2” x 3” x 4” and 3” x 4” x 4” sizes. It is used to connect your downspout to FLEX Drain, 4” standard corrugated pipe, 4” PVC, and most other 4” pipe. The flexible design allows an easier connection with mroe versatility than standard rigid adaptors….

Gutters & Roses $16.95 Gutters & Roses

Dying in the Gutters – Steven Grant – Paperback $10.19 Dying in the Gutters

King Of The Gutters, Prince Of $6 King Of The Gutters, Prince Of – Murder By Death

Man Cleaning Out Gutters in Autumn $19.99 Man Cleaning Out Gutters in Autumn – Premium Poster

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DC Shoes Gutters Hat $26 Flex fit Gutters hat features embroidered DC Shoes logo on the front and back. 83% Acrylic, 15% Wool, 2% Spandex. Spot clean only. Available in Black. Sizes: S/M-M/L.

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Sewers and Gutters By Cooper, Sharon Katz $12.62 Explains why sewers and gutters make a good home for some kinds of animals, and describes the different animals that live there. Author: Cooper, Sharon Katz Series Title: Horrible Habitats Publication Date: 2010/02/01 Number of Pages: 32 Binding Type: Paperback Grade Level: 34 Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 7.75 Height: 9.50

Jo Ral Grime Gutters Jrggtpt – Trumpet, Cornet, Flugel $4.99 Jo Ral Grime Gutters Jrggtpt – Trumpet, Cornet, Flugel

Jo Ral Grime Gutters Jrggtrb, Baritone, Euph, Marching Brass $4.99 Jo Ral Grime Gutters Jrggtrb, Baritone, Euph, Marching Brass

DC Kids – Gutters (Youth) (Black) – Hats $24 Zappos.com is proud to offer the DC Kids – Gutters (Youth) (Black) – Hats: This is the gutter you want to get your head in. ; Classic style features brand logo in contrasting color. ; FLEXFIT® hat stretches to fit a variety of skulls. ; 83% acrylic, 15% WOOL, 2% spandex. ; Spot clean only. ; Circumference: 20 in

Student at Winchester College Walking on Stone Gutters Called Good Intentions $79.99 Cornell Capa Student at Winchester College Walking on Stone Gutters Called “Good Intentions” – Premium Photographic Print