There comes a time for every home when new gutters are a necessity.
Gutters are one of the most important protectors of your home and, although they can take a beating, you're going to have to replace them every once in a while. Leaving damaged gutters on your house can cause a lot of problems.
Getting them replaced is no big deal for an experienced home repair company, but you do have to prepare for this process. Today, we'll discuss how you can mentally and practically prepare for gutter installation so it goes quickly and smoothly.
Once your new gutters are on, you can rest easy knowing that your home is protected from rain and all of the damage it can cause.
What New Gutter Installation Brings to the Table
Gutters that function properly are going to help you in various ways, some of which you might not even be aware of yet. Here's what you can look forward to:
- By diverting rainwater, they help you avoid foundational problems, flooding under the house, erosion of the land supporting your house, and all sorts of water damage.
- They can help you collect rainwater in a rain barrel to use in your garden, thus lowering your municipal water bills.
- You can use them to properly distribute rainwater to various areas around your house.
You'll know it's time to replace your guttering when you notice cracks, flecks of rust, or that they're sagging. If you see water damage or pools of water around your house after a heavy rain, this could be another sign.
Prepping for New Guttering
It should be noted that removing old guttering and house gutter installation is a tough job and potentially dangerous. If you're doing it yourself, you have to make sure you have all of the necessary materials and an understanding of what to do once you're up there.
After the old gutters are gone, inspect your fascia and soffits. If you can see any mold or mildew on the wood, have that dealt with before you install new gutters. Rotting wood can pose much larger problems and you'll have to remove the gutters again and deal with it later if you don't do it now.
Take a look at the roof for any loose or damaged shingles and make sure the flashing is in good shape. You might also want to get any necessary painting done before the new guttering goes up.
Lastly, you should know where rainwater is draining around your home so that, when you install new gutters, the system can be tailored to it.
How to Install New Gutters
Gutter installation is something you should only do if you're well-informed about the process or have an experienced professional with you. To get better informed, come back and visit our blog at soffit.com.
We specialize in soffit and gutter products, but we also have helpful home improvement guides and articles about everything from gutter replacement to soffit ventilation. Let us help you with your DIY home improvement project.
