Two of the most important parts of your Connecticut house are the foundation and the roof – and these two areas are actually very related. Obviously, a home’s foundation is what keeps a house standing strong, supporting the upper structure, and keeping out the elements. Similarly, a roof protects the inside of a home, keeping debris, the elements, and creatures from entering from above.
If your foundation is not strong, the entire house can be compromised. Furthermore, if the roof does not funnel water properly, it can actually cause deterioration in your foundation. A rain gutter installation expert can help you ensure that your roof works with your foundation, not against it.
How Gutters Should Work
As water hits a roof, it runs down the slope, to the edge. In roofs with gutters, this water is channeled along the roof’s edge, to the corners, where it runs through a down spout, then safely away from the home; this happens when accumulated winter snow melts as well.
This design keeps your head dry as you enter your doorway. But more importantly, it keeps water from dripping around the home, eroding the dirt slope at the foundation, and keeps it from puddling around the foundation. Gutters also look good, providing a finished look to a roof’s edge.
Inspecting Your Gutters
If your home does have Connecticut gutters, take the time each year to inspect them. First, look at the gutters on a nice day: ensure they are visibly undamaged and that they look good. If you see issues, call a gutter repair and replacement contractor.
Next, inspect your gutters on a rainy day. Watch as the water rolls off the roof, into the gutters. Ensure that the water goes immediately into the gutter, with no dripping or leakage between the gutter and the roof. Next, ensure that the gutter has sufficient slope so that the water flows towards the down spouts, with no puddling spots.
Ensure that your down spouts are clear, and that the water is traveling down them, coming quickly out the bottom. Finally, ensure that your down spout terminates at least two feet from your home’s foundation, moving the water away from the house. If you see any problems with water dripping or flowing, call a rain gutter installation and repair contractor.
Modern Rain Gutter Systems
As you look at your working gutters, know that there should be no leaks for the full run of the gutter. If you have older gutters, it is important to know that today’s modern gutters are seamless; this makes them not only attractive, but extremely leak resistant.
It might also surprise you how affordable rain gutter installation can be – an experienced professional contractor can install custom-made, seamless, low-maintenance gutters quickly, and for little more than you would pay for cheaper, potentially leaky, PVC gutters from a home supply store.