Benefits

Effective rain gutter guards can save you the time that may need to be spent frequently cleaning your guttering if it remains unprotected. Cleaning you gutters can be dangerous work so any gutter leaf guard which reduces the frequency with which this needs to be carried out is worthy of consideration. Your guttering may even require professional cleaning and unblocking which is going to be an expense for you. Effective gutter guard systems have the potential to reduce the amount you will need to spend not just on gutter cleaning but also on maintenance and repairs. This is due to the fact that a clear guttering system which is working as intended will be much less likely to sustain any damage or suffer from the effects of wear and tear. The downside to installing gutter leaf guards is obviously going to be the initial costs you will need to pay out. This cost can however be treated like an investment as it is very likely to save you time and money in the future for the reasons outlined above.

Choosing Gutter Guard Systems

There are many different systems currently available so you should read some gutter guard reviews before choosing any one product over another. Think about the type of guttering your home currently has and which systems are designed to work with these gutters. Consumer gutter guard comparison articles can be obtained using the internet or home improvement magazines. You should try to read these if you are unsure which of the many available systems would provide the best gutter guards for your home. Think about the source of any gutter guard review. If it is appearing on the manufacturers website or one which would benefit from selling the product then treat it with caution as any negative points are never going to be included in these cases. It will be a good idea to ask people in your neighbourhood about systems they may have installed if their guttering is of the same design as yours. They will often be able to provide useful advice which will help you to choose the best gutter guard for your home.

The Purpose of Guttering

Rain gutters form part of the roofing system of a property and are designed to transfer any water away from the roof and down to ground level. A roof is usually designed in a way that will shed water to avoid it collecting and causing any damage. The water is shed into the guttering system which prevents it from running off of the roof. It is then often transferred via the downspout into a drain. This helps to reduce damage to the exterior walls, fascias, doors and windows of the property by limiting any exposure to water. Protection of the foundations and any underground area such as the basement is also increased by keeping water away. A gutter can also provide a way to collect rainwater when required.

There are many forms of guttering currently available and various materials are used to produce them. Residential properties commonly feature gutters which are constructed from some form of plastic such as PVC. Many are however constructed from metals including iron, galvanized steel, zinc, lead or copper gutters. Stone, wood and concrete are also used in some cases. A guttering system can be integrated as a hidden part of the roof (such as a box gutter) or others may be attached under the edge of a roof allowing them to catch water as it drains over the roofs edge. They can sometimes also be integrated as part of the exterior walls of a property. An individual gutter can now be produced on site just before installation using a process known as cold working or cold forming. This allows the creation of seamless gutters which use the least number of joints possible. This generally reduces the chance of any leakages occurring or of the guttering breaking due to a weak joint.

Maintenance

In order to ensure that your rain gutters remain effective in protecting your property from some of the damaging effects of water it will be necessary to carry out some light maintenance around twice each year. This may be required more often during wet seasons or if there are large deciduous trees near your home. The most common problem you will experience with your guttering systems will usually be blocking caused by leaves or other debris. Metallic gutters may also be susceptible to corrosion. A small spade which you may use for potting plants in your garden will be sufficient to perform any required gutter cleaning and remove any leaves or debris. A hose can then be used to flush out any material from the downspouts.
You can reduce the level of maintenance that will be required to keep your guttering systems working effectively by taking some pre-emptive action. There are many low cost gutter protection devices available which when installed correctly can greatly reduce the amount of debris making its way into your gutters. These products are gutter covers marketed under various names including the gutter guard or gutter helmet. Most of these products work in a similar way and are reasonably priced. It will also be a good idea to take some steps to prevent your downpipes becoming blocked wherever possible. This can be achieved by installing a downspout guard purchased from a DIY store or by creating a device yourself using a piece of steel mesh which is large enough to cover the opening of your downspout. Both of these options will act as a kind of ‘sieve’ for your downspout and trap larger objects such as leaves and other debris while at the same time allowing water to drain into the downspout. Gutter guard systems will require clearing out a couple of times each year when you are working on clearing your gutters.

Damage and Repairs

The main causes of physical damage to guttering systems are the weight of water which has collected (due to blockages) causing the rain gutter to break away from its fastenings and also damage as a result of storms. Gutters can often move from their original positions over time due to constant exposure to the elements. This can mean that they are no longer sloping and so not channelling water to the downpipes effectively. This problem can be easily identified if standing water is visible in your gutters. A small adjustment should be all that is necessary to re-slope the rain gutter. Another obvious sign that your gutter may have sustained some light damage is the appearance of water stains on the outside of the gutter. This is often caused by a leak coming from a small hole or crack. In this case the damaged area can be easily repaired by first drying the section in question and then applying some kind of silicone sealant to seal the hole. This can be obtained from your local DIY or hardware store. Superficial damage which occurs at the joints in your guttering can also be repaired in this way. More of the sealant will be required and should be applied generously over the damaged area and also a few centimetres to each side. This should be allowed to dry for a full day before being checked to make sure that it is water tight. Any severe damage to your gutters especially as the result of a storm may require a professional contractor to carry out adequate repairs or replace individual sections.

Pricing

The price of guttering will vary greatly depending on the size of your property and which materials you would like your gutters to be constructed from. Basic PVC plastic guttering can be purchased relatively cheaply at under $10 for four meters. Aluminium will cost significantly more and may be ten times the cost of PVC, sometimes even more. If you wish to have seamless gutters installed on your property then contacting a supplier will usually be the best idea as prices will vary greatly depending on your individual property. Accessories such as gutter guards can typically be purchased for less than $20. It is a good idea to visit a few DIY stores or browse the websites of some online suppliers to get an idea of what you can expect to pay. If you are thinking about gutter installation for the first time or would like a completely new guttering system rather than repairing an old one then most people will need to consult a professional contractor who will be able to provide you with a quotation. The contractors will be able to complete the whole project for you and will also have access to trade prices and so may be able to get a better deal than you would personally be able to negotiate for the materials.

Problems, Maintenance and Repairs

Fascias are often included as part of the guttering system as problems with gutters will often effect them as well. The most likely source of damage to your fascia boards is a leaking gutter or occasional wind and storm damage. This usually means that repair and replacement work is often carried out which will deal with both the gutters and fascias together. Any fascia board on your property should be inspected regularly throughout the year and maintained or repaired as needed. Most fascia damage will usually be easily identified visually although there are other signs that could indicate damage which is not as easily seen. Any leaks or icicles around the fascia boards are often signs of damage to the fascia itself or the guttering system.

Many older fascia boards may be produced from wood which has rotten over time. You should strongly consider using more modern products such as the PVC fascias when the old ones need replacing. A PVC fascia board will resist the elements effectively and will be far cheaper and easier to replace if needed in the future. There is a huge range of these products now available.

Many problems which require some form of maintenance to be carried out on your fascias can be handled by the homeowner who has some DIY or home improvement experience. This will obviously eliminate any costs associated with hiring professional contractors to carry out the work on your behalf. Although it will usually be more cost effective to complete the maintenance yourself you may have some difficulty in acquiring the materials needed at the same low prices which a tradesperson would expect to pay for them. Your first impulse may be to visit your local builders merchant or DIY store to purchase the materials you need such as uPVC fascias, soffits or gutters. This can sometimes be a good option if you need assistance choosing the right products for your home but their prices may not be the most competitive.

Cost Cutting

The internet is a great place to shop around for brand name products at low prices. Many low cost suppliers of fascia and soffit materials can be found online. If you know the specific materials you will require to complete the maintenance of your roof fascia boards then considerable savings can often be made by purchasing through websites. Most reputable sites will provide you with in-depth product descriptions and allow you to specify measurements and quantities ensuring that the materials you purchase from them will be compatible with the current plastic fascias and gutters on your property.

If you are uncomfortable relying on a website for this information you can still visit a local DIY centre to find out exactly what you are going to need. Product ID numbers can be copied down from a catalogue enabling you to find exactly the same materials online and hopefully at a much lower price. It always pays to shop around before purchasing products of any kind. You may not have thought about buying building materials from the internet before but if you know exactly what you are looking for then considerable savings can be made this way.

As we have established that your guttering and fascias are linked closely to one and other you may wish to visit this website for more information specific to gutters.