Don't Let Garish Gutters Impact Your Home's Curb Appeal
The eavestroughing around your home requires a bit of maintenance to ensure that it not only effectively guides water off the roof and away from you home, but that it doesn't compromise your curb appeal. If your troughs are looking a bit rough, be sure to refurbish promptly to avoid potential damage to your home, including trapped moisture and stains on the side of the structure.
Some fixes for inferior eavestroughing include these suggestions:
Give them a coat of paint.
Painting the metal troughs of your gutter system can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. It also gives you the opportunity to assess the system, and look closely for holes, sags, or leaks. Before painting, be sure that the gutters are cleaned, sanded lightly, and completely dry.
Get some guards.
Gutter guards can also give your home's eavestroughing a cohesive, attractive appearance. The major perk of gutter guards is that these easy-to-install attachments prevent leaves, debris, and dirt from getting trapped in the trough of your gutter. This can reduce time and energy spent cleaning out the gutters every spring.
Wash and watch.
Another great opportunity to evaluate your home's gutters is by cleaning them routinely with a high-pressure hose or power-washer. This is most effective when you recruit someone to stand on the ground and watch for any leaks or sags when the water runs down the trough, which could eventually result in damage or staining to your home's exterior.
Replace segments carefully.
A common place for a gutter system to leak is at the point where segments have been replaced. Be sure that when you attach a new segment to existing eavestroughing, you use the same holes to screw and secure the segments together. Finish with a generous amount of epoxy or adhesive to ensure there is no leaking around this spot.
Keep water out of your crawlspace.
When you are sprucing up your eavestroughing, don't overlook your down-spout. This is typically the point where the gutter system ends, and where water is pushed down to the ground. Make sure it is pointed away from your home, and that water is being guided away from your foundation or basement; since concrete is porous, puddles of water around this area can seep in and cause mold and moisture damage.
Take time to repair and restore your home's eavestroughing as needed to preserve the overall curb appeal of your home. Failing to keep up with your home's gutters could result in leaks, sags, and subsequent water damage including mold, staining, and basement flooding. Talk with home improvement retailers (like Eagle Eavestroughing) about supplies for your gutters, including paint, guards, and pressure-washers, that will maintain and enhance the performance and appearance of your eavestroughing.