Long Island Roofing: Article About Routine Gutter Maintenance
This is a band that is situated under the edge of the roof. The fascia is usually made from a wooden board or sheet metal. Its purpose is to cap the rafters and to help hold the rain gutters in place.
Long Island roofing FAQ: How often should I clean my gutters?An annual inspection of your gutters is recommended. However, if you live in a wooded area and often have trouble with clogs, you may want to inspect your gutters more often. You may want to inspect them once at the beginning of spring and after the leaves have fallen. Additionally, you may want to rid them of any debris that may have gotten trapped in your gutters after a storm.
While your roof may protect you and your loved ones against the elements, your gutters help protect your roof against excessive water damage. Like any other structural component, your gutters need routine care and maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition.
In most cases, any maintenance and repairs that your gutters require can be performed by you if you are relatively handy. For any tools, materials or advice that you need when it comes to your gutters, your local Long Island roofing contractors can help.
Because access to your gutters requires a ladder, you should know how to perform the required maintenance safely. When using a ladder, never prop the top of your ladder against the gutter. Not only is this incredibly dangerous and can result in a fall, you can also cause damage to the component. It is also recommended that you have the ladder firmly positioned below the area that needs work so that you do not have to reach and risk losing your balance.
The most important part of gutter maintenance is to ensure that they are clean and free of debris. If your gutters are clogged, excess water may become backed up and can cause damages to your roof. It is recommended that you clean your gutters on a dry day as dry debris is far easier to remove than wet debris. Larger items, such as leaves and twigs, can easily be removed with your hands.
A roofing professional from Long Island Roofing can answer any question you have about shingle roofs or GAF roofing materials.
To rid your gutters of smaller materials, flush the gutter with water from a hose. It is recommended that you start at the farthest point away from the downspout. If the gutters become clogged and the water will not drain, your downspout is likely clogged with large debris. You may need to detach the downspout and unclog the debris using a small nozzle to increase the hose pressure. If this does not work, a plumber's snake tool can also do the job.
When you inspect your gutter for damages, you should look for any missing support hangers or other damaged parts. Support hangers should be spaced about every 2 feet along the length of the gutter. Any missing support hangers can be added by simply drilling a hole in the lip of the gutter and fascia and installing the new hanger. Leaks at the gutter seams can also be easily fixed by running a bead of gutter sealant along the seam.
If there is still standing water in your gutters following basic repairs and cleaning, you gutter may not be sloped correctly. You can perform a simple adjustment to fix this problem by simply detaching the support hangers and adjusting the gutter slope. Once fixed, the gutter should have a decline of approximately .25 inches every 10 feet.
