A gutter system is one of the most underrated parts of the home, and it helps guide water out from the roof and away from the house to protect the structural integrity of the building. However, this drainage system is out in the open, leaving it exposed to all sorts of extreme weather.
If you ever discover a problem with your gutters, call up a home repair service to determine the next steps that you can take to ensure that the issue is resolved. Here’s what you need to expect and look out for:
1. Heavy Downpour Clogging Up the Gutters
Rainfall can be calming to listen to, but it ramps up the responsibilities of your gutters; often, the gutters can handle it. Their material is made to withstand and deal with rain, but water isn’t the only thing going through the channels during heavy rainfall.
All sorts of rocks, leaves, and dirt are funneled in with the rainwater, stirring up a disaster and clogging up the pipes. Proper and regularly scheduled maintenance should help reduce those issues and further complications, though.
2. Ice Storms Freezing the Gutters
Because of the long winters, Indianapolis homeowners should probably be a little worried about their gutters if they’ve ever seen ice dams and icicles forming at the edge of their roof. Depending on the material, they can be susceptible to contracting during cold weather.
This means really low temperatures during the winter can cause the gutters to crack and become very fragile. Preventing ice dams will be your best way to deal with this. When they have already formed, the best you can do is wait for them to melt and hold an inspection on your gutter system’s condition.
3. Snow Adding Pressure to the Gutter System
Aside from freezing temperatures, the winter can also bring snow. It can be pretty harmless until it starts accumulating in every area, including the gutters. A drainage system is usually designed to support water pressure, but snow is just a whole different thing.
To relieve your gutters, try and remove the snow from the top box. A long pole usually works, but it’s generally unsafe to get up on the roof by yourself – especially during winter. Call up a residential contractor who will be able to do the work for you.
4. Hail Damaging the Gutter’s Material
When it comes to hail, there’s damage to anything that’s outside. Vehicles and roofs are subject to these tiny balls of pure frozen ice. The gutter is no stranger to the dents and scratches hail is known for causing, too.
There’s not much to be done since it is out of your control and hail comes unexpectedly. When the weather has cleared up, and the sun is out, have a professional inspect the damage for you. Ideally, the hail your gutter was hit with wouldn’t have done too much denting.
5. Wind Gathering Dust to the Gutters
A windy day can still, unfortunately, cause a bit of harm to your gutters. Dust usually comes to settle by the roof and often in the gutter itself. When the wind is strong enough, you could probably start to expect a couple of thin sticks and leaves to accumulate, too.
The worst-case scenario is when there’s a series of small tornadoes. In that scenario, the wind would completely remove the gutters from your home and mess up every exterior part of the home. Always check the outside attachments and whether they are secure.
Conclusion
In summary, severe weather conditions can affect how your gutter system works. Preventative measures can only do so much. As often as possible, provide the proper maintenance and care that it needs when undergoing damage.
Looking for seamless gutter installation and repair in Indianapolis? Pro-Quality Contractors provides gutter services, along with residential roofing, power washing, and painting services. Contact us today!
