Gutters are an important part of every roofing system. Without a gutter in Appleton, water would flow off of the roof and directly on to the home’s siding. It would then cascade down to the side of the house to the landscaping adjacent to the building. The water runoff would flow in the same direction each time it rained and would cause certain parts of the siding to rot. The soil next to the foundation could become so heavy with water that it could crack the foundation. A gutter system would prevent each of these problems.
A Gutter in Appleton runs the length of the roof. It is slightly tilted so that the water in it will flow to the nearest downspout. The bottom of the downspout is designed to deposit water at least 36 inches from the foundation. Gutter size varies according to the size of the roof and the expected rainfall in the region. Usually, gutters are 5 inches or 6 inches in diameter. Often over-sized downspouts that measure 3 inches x 4 inches are used to accommodate large amounts of rain. The larger size also means less clogging.
Gutters have to remain clean to do their job properly. If they become blocked with leaves, twigs, bird nests or other debris, the water runoff will run over the gutters and run down the home’s siding. Some homeowners become tired of climbing on ladders to ensure that their gutters are clean. They have their roofing and gutter contractor install gutter guards over the top of the gutter. This allows the water to seep into the gutter but prevents leaves and other larger debris from entering the gutter.
The homeowner should inspect their gutters each year. Normally this is done when the roof is inspected. The technician will make sure that the gutter is securely attached to the edge of the roof. He will also make sure that the seams that attach gutter segments are in good shape. This is one of the first places that a gutter will leak. He then checks to make sure that the connection between the gutters and downspout is secure. Homeowners can visit us website to learn more about selecting, installing and maintaining gutters.
