The rainy season is upon us and will only get worse as spring transitions to summer. Though the rain serves a vital function, it can be pretty inconvenient at times. One of the inconveniences of rain is that it can really strain your rain gutter system. If your rain gutters aren’t in top shape, a good rainfall can quickly overwhelm your system and cause problems for your roof, siding, and even your home’s foundation. Here are some things you should know about your rain gutters and how to maintain them during the rainy season.

Two important jobs

Your rain gutters perform two main tasks: first, they get water off of your roof; and second, they provide that water an outlet away from your home. If your rain gutter system is compromised and cannot perform these two functions, it could spell trouble for your home. If the rain gutters are clogged, water may not be able to get off of your roof, if it begins to pool up, water can seep beneath the shingles where they can cause all kinds of problems like roof leaks, mold, and rot. This can greatly reduce the lifespan of your roof. Clogged gutters can also cause water to overflow and drip down the side of your home which can damage the home’s fascia and siding. Finally, if your gutters have pulled loose from the side of the house or if there are any gaps, holes, or rust in the gutter system, water may pool up at the base of your home and can seep into your basement and damage your home’s foundation.

Maintaining your rain gutters

Rain gutters are pretty easy to maintain. The most important thing is to make sure they are free of debris and the other problems will mostly take care of themselves. Depending on the number of trees in your yard, you may need to clean out your rain gutters anywhere from 1 to 4 times a year. If you’ve let debris accumulate, your gutters may have pulled loose due to excess weight on your system. When this happens to need to refasten them to the side of your home. When performing rain gutter maintenance don’t neglect the downspouts which also need to be cleaned out and in good shape. You can also hire a professional service to so this work for you. If your gutters are bent, rusted, or otherwise damaged, it may be time to replace the whole rain gutter system.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: gazette.com/rainy-weather-especially-tough-on-gutters-in-colorado-springs/article/1551274

Tags: roofing, roof maintenance, rain gutter maintenance, roof repairs, roofing contractor, roofing company