How Winter Wreaks Havoc on Rain Gutters
Winter can wreak havoc on your gutter systems, damaging them and causing cracks. Whether it snows a lot or only a little, your gutters will take a hit every winter. When it does snow a lot, it can result in ice damming or ice build-up in the gutters.
Winter Season Damages Your Gutters
Ice dams begin when snow build-ups on the roof of your home. Gradually, it begins to melt, even during below freezing temperature. The heat radiating from the inside of your home warms your roof and melts the snow.
The melted snow finds its way into your gutters, which is colder than your roof and then it freezes again, forming an ice dam that prevents proper drainage and exposes your gutters to moisture for longer durations.
Overtime, the ice melts and seeps under the shingles, tar paper and plywood. This damages the soffit, fascia and roof. Before the damage gets worse, you can save money by calling a professional for gutter repair service in Garland, TX.
The other problem you may face during winters is ice build-up. When ice build-ups in your gutters, it prevents melted snow from exiting out of the downspouts. This blockage hampers the flow of water, flowing over the sides of the gutters and forming long icicles as a result.
You can prevent ice damming and ice build-up by hiring a gutter cleaning and repair service in Dallas, TX before the start of winters. However, there are certain measures that you also can take to ensure you do not succumb to this problem in the winter. Here is what you can do:
- Clean out your gutters before winter, especially after all the trees surrounding the gutters have shed their leaves.
- Ensure your roof is properly insulated and that warm air is not exiting your home.
- Ensure your gutters are installed properly, meaning you have installed a gutter system that is the right size for your area because if it is not, the weight of snow and ice can cause significant damage to your gutters.
To provide you with a complete picture on how winter wreaks havoc on your gutters, it is crucial for you to learn about the various hazards that come with the chilly season. They include:
- Condensation – You will turn on the heater of your home to ensure you remain warm when you are inside. In comparison to the air outside, the air inside your home is much warmer. Even though you may take proactive measures to ensure the heat does not escape your home, some heat still tends to break free and escape. When heat meets snow and ice, gutters systems are in trouble. The solution is to insulate your roof properly and one way you can do that is by searching for experts in gutter damage in Sachse, TX.
- Leaks — If your gutters do not succumb to the constant expansion and contraction phenomenon in winters, you may still experience a leak. If you have a leak, you will come across water escaping through the holes and entering your eaves, roof, walls, and porch. This will increase the likelihood of your gutters sustaining damage, and may also result in winter injuries due to slick spots on the porch for instance.
- Icicles — Even though you may like to stare at the pretty icicles in awe, for your gutters, it is a nightmare. Just because your gutter may be made from aluminum does not mean that it can hold more than 100 pounds of icicles. Icicles will damage your gutters, leaving them in terrible shape.
- Bursting Pipes — During winters, gutter seams can separate due to the constant expansion and contraction that occurs in the cold weather. Therefore, it should not take you by surprise if you find yourself looking at a burst pipe during this time. Just get in touch with a reliable company for gutter repair service in Garland, TX to inspect your gutter and resolve the issue for good.
- Debris — Gutters made from aluminum are known for their high extreme friction quality. What this means is that debris can become the obstacle between the gutter and its ability to drain water properly. If you do not clean out debris from the gutters, you will be in for a nasty and costly surprise.
Let R2 Roof Guys Check Your Rain Gutters
Some measures you can take to protect your gutters from the winter season is to seal any air leaks, increase insulation in the attic, add gutter guards, and defrost cables in the gutters. Winter damage to your gutter system can also build up over time, especially when it has snowed in previous winters. If you were lucky enough to avoid snow this winter, it doesn’t mean that you don’t already have existing damage to your gutter system from previous winters. It is still a good idea to contact a professional roofing company to come out and check your gutters for damage. Out of all these things, you cannot neglect hiring a professional gutter cleaning and repair company in Dallas, Garland, and Sachse, TX. Call the trusted roofing contractors at R2 Roof Guys in Garland, TX today, and they will come to look at your gutters to prevent any problems caused by winter conditions.
Media Contact:
T: 214-405-4396
Improper Installation of Gutters
If You Say Yes to the Following, Your Gutters Are Not Installed Properly
Your gutters play a crucial role in protecting your home from unruly weather conditions. Working as shields, your gutters serve as a channel for water to flow away from your property. Properly installed gutters protect your siding, fascia, walls, and soffit from water damage. Gutters also prevent soil erosion, protect your landscape, prevent flooding in your basement, and protect your home’s foundation from water damage.
This is clearly enough reason for why it is so important for homeowners to ensure that their gutters are installed properly. In the event they are not, they need to search for a reputable and respectable company for gutter installation and repair service in Dallas, TX.
Now that you know you should make sure the gutters in your home are installed properly, you might wonder how you can tell if they are installed correctly or not. This is where R2 Roof Guys can help! Here are a few ways to figure out just that:
1. Inaccurate Pitching
Check to see if your gutter is installed at a slight angle or a pitch for water. If it is not, water will not be able to flow smoothly into drains and downspouts. Therefore, it is important that the pitch is positioned at a slight pitch. If the slope is too much, it can result in water spilling or ponding instead of going through the downspouts.
2. Incorrect Downspout Placement
Check to see if the downspouts are positioned properly. A downspout not positioned properly can cause water to collect in the middle of the gutter, and this gives birth to a host of problems such as roof damage, mosquitoes breeding, siding damage, foundation damage, and damage to the gutter system and roof, due to excess weight placed on it by the pool of water.
3. Improper Hanger Installation
Hangers attach the entire gutter system to your property. They hold the entire weight of the gutter. Defective hangers or improperly installed hangers can make your gutters fall and sag.
If you do not want to encounter any of these three problems, you need to call in a professional for gutter installation in Sachse, TX. The professional will visit your home and inspect your gutter to ensure it is pitched correctly, that the downspouts are positioned properly, and that the hangers are not damaged and placed at the right distance from each other, not too close and not too far.
In some cases, your gutter may be installed correctly, but it might not do the work needed to ensure that water damage does not occur and that water flows to the right areas. Here, you do not have an improperly placed gutter but an old gutter, and it might just be time to replace it with a new one.
5 Signs to Consider Replacing Your Gutter
You need to consider replacing your gutter and calling a gutter installation and repair service in Dallas, TX if you have any of the following issues:
1. A Growing Number of Holes, Rust Spots, and Cracks
Even though you can fix a few of these using a sealant and flashing, fixing a bunch of them is not possible. You need to get someone for gutter installation duty fast. There are no ifs or buts about it as replacing sealants and flashing is the only option.
2. A Bunch of Broken Fasteners
Fasteners, which are pieces of metal, fasten your gutter to your roof and keep it level. You can repair the broken fasteners, but if you keep running into problems even after you have fixed them, the problem lies with your gutters. Get them replaced.
3. Loose Screws or Nails on the Ground
Do you see any loose and falling screws or nails on the ground? If you do, replace them with new ones. The purpose of nails or screws is to attach the gutter to the fascia. If you keep finding them fallen on the ground, you are looking at a bigger problem, which is gutter wear and tear.
4. A Divided Gutter System
Together, the gutter system will work, but divided, it will not. For a gutter system to function properly, fasten its parts together. If they start to separate from each other, replacing your gutter is the only thing you can do.
5. Peeling Paint on the Outside of the House
If your gutters are pulling away from the roof of your home, it can ruin the appearance of your house from the outside, causing paint to peel off. If the paint has been peeling off for a while, it may time to invest in a new gutter system.
If you are considering replacing your gutters, call a professional for the service of gutter repair and installation in Garland, TX. The team at R2 Roof guys in Garland, Texas has been proudly serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area for over 35 years and will help you through the process every step of the way.
Media Contact:
R2 Roof Guys
(T): 214-405-4396
Clogged Gutters and Challenging Texas Weather
Is your gutter giving you problems? If it has been a while since you last called a professional gutter cleaning and repair service in Dallas, TX, the problems you’re facing might be due to a clogged gutter. For this reason, you need to ensure your gutter is free from debris and anything that can cause it to become clogged. However, if it is too late and your gutter is already clogged, contact a gutter cleaning professional near Sachse, TX immediately. If you neglect to maintain your gutter, you can experience the following problems:
- Structural Damage — A clogged gutter can cause water damage to the foundation of your home, resulting in cracks.
- Water Damage Inside Home — A clogged gutter can result in water damage inside your home due to water entering the roof, appliances, furniture, and electrical systems.
- Pests Infestation — A clogged gutter can lead to a pest infestation due to insects and parasites living in gutters and spreading their germs inside your home.
You need to address these types of issues before they can become severe. If you suspect you are dealing with a clogged gutter, get in touch with a professional for gutter repair in Garland, TX. It is pertinent that you get professional assistance, as delaying the cleaning and repair of gutters can make the issue far worse than it already is.
5 Signs Your Gutter is Clogged
How do you know you’re dealing with a clogged gutter? Simple, you need to be on the lookout for the following signs:
- You find pests near your roof and around your gutter.
- You find water falling over the sides of your gutter.
- Your gutter appears bent from the middle, causing it to sag.
- You find signs of water damage and staining on the siding of your home due to standing water in your gutter system.
- You find plants growing inside of your gutter.
Have you noticed any of these signs of a clogged gutter? If you have, you need to find a reputable gutter cleaning and repair service in Dallas, TX to fix the issue and prevent any further damage to your home. When the professional comes to your home, you will be surprised to learn the number of things that can clog your gutters.
3 Things that Can Cause Gutters to Become Clogged
Here are different types of items that are responsible for clogged gutters:
1. Trees Shedding Their Leaves and Broken Twigs
One of the primary causes of clogged gutters is trees. When trees shed their leaves, the leaves find their way onto the roof of your home and from there, into your gutters and downspouts. If you have a near-flat or flat roof, leaves will cause your gutters to clog quicker.
If twigs and leaves have clogged your gutters, removing them will not only be difficult, but it will also increase the likelihood of pests, birds, and mold growth to harbor there. The weight of leaves and twigs can take a toll on your gutters, causing them to sag and overflow.
2. Snow Can Cause Ice Damming
Check the slope of your home’s roof, the location of the gutter system, as well as the condition of your attic to see if snow can become a problem for you. Inspect your attic to see if it is properly ventilated because if it is not, your attic will remain warmer, causing snow to melt on the roof. Melted snow then seeps into the cold gutter and the drastic change in temperature can freeze some of the snow, turning it into ice and clogging the gutter.
3. Improperly Installed Gutters
An improperly installed or poorly designed gutter downspout can trap debris at the exit and entry points. Trapped debris in a gutter system can block the flow of water, resulting in the accumulation of water and trapping more debris in the process.
Let R2 Roof Guys Inspect Your Rain Gutters Today
What can you do to prevent your gutters from backing up? You can invest in gutter guards and rain gutter heat tapes. Most importantly, make sure to properly ventilate your attic and perform regular gutter maintenance. Get in touch with a professional company in your area to visit your home for gutter repair in Dallas, Garland, and Sachse, TX.
When you forego gutter cleaning and maintenance, you will find yourself experiencing several problems. In order to reduce the chances of a clogged gutter, speak with the professionals at R2 Roof Guys. If you are considering having rain gutters installed on your home or need your gutters repaired, R2 Roof Guys is here to help you determine the right options for you and your home. Contact us today at 214-405-4396 for a consultation and free estimate.
Media Contact:
R2 Roof Guys
T: 214-405-4396
What You need to Know about Aluminum Gutters
If you are having your rain gutters updated or installed for the first time, you have a variety of materials to choose from. Gutter systems are commonly made of vinyl, steel, aluminum, or sometimes, copper. Aluminum rain gutters are, by far, the most popular systems chosen, making up nearly 80% of all gutters installed in the country. They provide homeowners with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, flexibility, and reliability. Additionally, there are some benefits and facts that you may not already know about aluminum gutters as you add them to your home.
Aluminum Gutters are Long Lasting and Durable
Aluminum gutters are known for their durability. They are able to stand up to harsh weather conditions that Texas sometimes experiences including heavy rainfall, hail, high winds, tornadoes, and the ice and occasional snow that the area sees in the winter. In fact, aluminum gutters often have a lifespan of over 20 years.
Aluminum Gutters are Lightweight
Gutters that are lightweight, like those made of aluminum, are an ideal choice for homeowners because they are easier to install than those made from heavier materials, and they sag far less over time.
Aluminum Gutters Won’t Rust
While steel gutters are an option that some homeowners opt for, it is heavier than aluminum and when leaves and other debris begins to fill up steel gutters, it may cause corrosion or rust. While aluminum gutters don’t rust, and for that reason, they may be a better option.
Aluminum Gutters Can Hold More Water
One of the most effective reasons to choose aluminum gutters is that they are able to hold more water than those made of other materials. This is a huge benefit during heavy rains that are seen in the Dallas area.
Aluminum Gutters Can Be Customized
Unlike some of the other gutter materials, such as steel or copper, aluminum gutters can be customized to the specifics of your home. They are made in different gauges and thickness, so a unique system can be designed to complement your house. That means that the aluminum gutter you have installed can be fitted to any unique spaces that your home has.
Aluminum gutters also come in a variety of prefinished colors that will allow you to match them to your home.
Aluminum Gutters Can Be Seamless
Nearly three-quarters of homeowners who have rain gutters installed opt for seamless gutters. Aluminum works great for this option. Using seamless gutters ensures that there are no leaks and that water is directed away from your home quickly and safely. This prevents water from running down the side of your home, potentially creating damaging issues like fascia and soffit rot, and mold and mildew.
Aluminum Gutters Prevent Foundation Damage
Water can be very damaging to your home, including the foundation. If water from rainfall is allowed to collect around the base of your home, it can soak down to the foundation. Over time, water can cause cracking and movement of the foundation, making the home a hazardous place to be for you and your family. Adding aluminum gutters can flush rainwater away from your home and foundation keeping them safe and secure from damage.
Aluminum Gutters Need to Be Maintained
While rain gutters are efficient and effective, they do require maintenance to continue to work properly. Many people opt to take care of their gutters during the spring season, after the harsh weather in the winter, but it’s important that you inspect your gutters more than once a year. Some of the key times to make sure that they are in good shape are:
- When leaves have fallen from trees. It’s often a beautiful time of year when the leaves fall from trees as the hot weather of summer is finally gone for another year. But all those falling leaves can quickly clog up your gutters. When they become clogged, they can no longer effectively keep the water away from your house and foundation.
- After severe weather. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause damage to your gutters, causing holes, tears, or other types of breakage. Damaged gutters will not protect your home as they should. That means that doing a quick check that they are clean of debris and that there are no visible cracks or tears after storms is a must.
Aluminum Gutters Can Be Installed by R2 Roof Guys
If you are considering having aluminum rain gutters installed on your home, R2 Roof Guys are here to help you determine the right options for you and your home. Contact us today at 214-405-4396 for a consultation and free estimate.