Aluminum Gutter Systems
Posted On: June 3, 2014Installing rain gutter systems is extremely important but so is replacing old ones when the circumstances demand so. Faulty gutter systems may cause a number of problems, which include but aren’t limited to:
- Roof damage from rain running under the shingles
- Rain water dripping and causing erosion
- Basement flooding
It is therefore in your best interest to ensure your rain gutter systems are fully functional at all times (or at least when it matters most). Start by choosing gutters made from material that is durable.
Choosing the Best
Gutters are made from various materials. Most people however prefer aluminum gutters for the following reasons:
- Aluminum gutters don’t rust
- They are durable
- They’re lightweight
- Cheaper than gutters made from different materials
Please note that the thicker the gauge of the aluminum used, the better the resistance to damage by snow. So when you’re buying aluminum gutters, opt for the thickest available.
Gutter Protection
Debris, ranging from leaves to twigs, can get deposited on your roof. When it rains, all the debris may end up clogging your gutters when the rain water washes it away. If this happens, water will flow over the sides of the gutter and this will cause the problems mentioned earlier. So, how do you avoid all that?
Gutter Guards
Your ultimate gutter protection tool would be gutter guards. Experts admit that gutter guards are not 100% efficient but nonetheless contend that having gutter guards will lessen the need to clean your gutters frequently. There are different types of gutter guards that you can use but some can be used only during specific seasons.
During winter, you’ll need nylon gutter guards. Their slippery nature ensures that snow won’t accumulate in the gutters.
Bottle brush gutters have bristle-like projections which prevent debris like leaves, small branches, twigs and so on from getting into the gutters and eventually clogging them up.
Mesh gutters, which are probably the best, have small holes that only permit water to get through.
As noted earlier, gutter systems are extremely important. To prevent having to do frequent maintenance on your gutter systems, you’ll need to choose the right gutter guard. The best gutter guard for your home will depend on the foliage that surrounding your home. If you take this into account then your gutter guards will effectively prevent your gutters from being clogged up.
For those who live in Columbus, Ohio and all of central Ohio, including Springfield, Zanesville, Mansfield, and Chillicothe, the recommendation would be to use aluminum gutters with good gutter protection.
(Image and excerpt from “Do Gutter guards work?”)
