Handy Tips for Homeowners Wanting to Tackle Eavestrough Repair & Gutter Maintenance
Difference between an Eavestrough and a Gutter
An eave is a part of a roof that is connected to a wall to create a drip line to avoid damaging them. On the other hand, an eavestrough is attached at the outer edge of the eave to collect water and snow. In other words, an eavestrough is a rain gutter or roof gutter that we have around our house that collects and transports rainwater or snow from our roof to a drainage system.
On the other hand, a gutter is a generic name for an eavestrough and is also the most common term used nowadays. However, the term is also used for any place where flowing water is found, like the ones on sidewalks.
Moreover, due to the constant changes in weather and seasons, our eavestrough, rain gutters, or roof gutters might be damaged in the long run. It is necessary to check on them from time to time to avoid significant damage, which requires substantial labour costs compared to their maintenance.
Here are some maintenance tips on eavestrough repair, gutter maintenance, and roof maintenance for homeowners who wish to save money.
Gutter System
Gutters are a system of pipes and connections that work together to keep rainwater and snow away from the house or buildings. It is composed of different components such as:
- Gutter
- Downspout
- Elbow
- Endcap
- Gutter guard
- Hidden hanger
Below are some tips on how to maintain and repair your gutters:
Downspouts Maintenance
What is a downspout? It is a path where the water from the eave will flow away from the house or building. They ensure that the water will flow to the drainage system.
Clogged downspouts
Aside from roof maintenance, it is also necessary to check your gutter system to maintain your house's structural integrity. To unclog a downspout, you can walk down a ladder, gently tap or knock on the sides of your downspout, and rinse it with water to remove any debris. You can also use a tool to push any debris from the top that is clogging your downspout and then rinse it with water. For any significant damage, you can seek professional help to avoid further damage to your gutter.
Overflowing Downspouts
Another reason for having an overflow in downspouts is the overflowing water in the gutter and on the roof, aside from the clogs. You always have to make sure they are clean eavestroughs to avoid overflowing problems.
Narrow Downspout
It is necessary to have access to information needed, like roof installation plans, to provide proper measurements and avoid undersized or oversized downspouts.
Frozen Downspout
One of the most common winter problems that affect our houses is the ice dams on our roofs, gutters, and downspouts. This could cause gutter problems such as sagging due to excess force on them, so it is important to remove snow regularly.
Gutter Maintenance
Gutters are the long and round pieces meant to catch rainwater, snow, and debris and send them down the drainage system. The first is a single long pipe, and the second is a series of short pipes that must be connected.
Damaged Gutter
If you have time to go around your yard, you might as well have a simple inspection of your roof gutters. One of the most common maintenance tips is to make sure that professionals install your gutters. However, problems could still occur, and they are usually found in joint gutters where two sections meet. It is advisable to secure the damaged area with silicone sealant, which can be bought in any local hardware store. Heavy storm rain, strong winds, and ice dams might result in roof and gutter problems. You can fix your gutters by rehanging, replacing, or reinstalling the whole gutter to avoid water damage in your house.
Leaking Gutter
You can use the silicone sealant to seal minor leaks or holes for a leaking gutter. It is important to note that the sealants are applied on the inside seams of the gutter and that they are smooth and flat to avoid stacked debris. For large holes, you can patch them using the same material as your gutter to prevent erosion and overflow onto your roof. It is essential to look for telltale signs inside your house because this is a sign of small holes on your roof, which is in need of repair.
Clogged Gutters
You would not want to have clogged gutters because that would cause water leaks on your roof and inside your house, costing you more expensive roof maintenance. However, having some leaves, sticks, or other debris fall from the trees into your gutter during heavy rains or harsh weather is unavoidable if you don't have gutter guards installed to cover them. It is also important to have some gutter cleaning from time to time to maintain your gutter's good shape. You can use your garden hose to rinse the debris stuck in your gutter and downspout. You might also want to consider installing gutter guards, which help prevent clogged gutters due to unnecessary debris and other materials falling from trees. However, if you wish to reduce your house expenses, you can also use porous foam, as it allows water to flow down to the downspout and is less expensive than gutter guards.
Sagging Gutters
One of the most basic gutter problems is sagging gutters. You will need a hammer, gutter spikes, a screwdriver, wood silvers, epoxy, caulk, a drill, and gutter hangers to repair immediately. It is necessary to identify the cause of gutter problems before the repair to ensure that you will avoid them next time. Next, you will need to inspect your fascia board or the wood that is attached to the side of your house and closes the attic. Any missing nails could be the source of your gutter sagging. Another repair tip is to fix or replace the gutter spike if necessary, especially after several days of heavy rain, snow buildup, or ice dam. Ice dams put excess force on gutters, which could pull gutter nails, making them loose or sag.
Gutter Size
When choosing the right size for your gutters, it is essential to consider harsh weather conditions, the size of your roof, the pitch of your roof, and areas of your house that might hinder water flow. It is also necessary to take a closer look at your gutter and look for parts that need repairs. Its angle, or pitch, plays an essential role in how the water flows away from your house. For homeowners, you might want to remember the rule of thumb. Ensure that your gutters slope towards the downspouts at one-quarter of an inch for every 10 feet of your gutter. This will allow the water to flow in the correct direction.
Elbow Maintenance
Similar to how human elbows work, the elbows used in gutters also work to connect the pipes in the angled and curved parts of the house.
Clogged Elbow
It is a susceptible spot in the system as clogs typically happen here. It connects from the gutter connected to the exterior wall by the clip-on grates to the elbow, allowing water to flow down the downspout. It is also crucial to install a gutter guard on the elbow to prevent problems.
Roof Maintenance
Depending on the homeowner's preferred design and its function, strength, efficiency, and sustainability, a roof can be of different types. Some of which are:
- Gable Roof
- Mansard Roof
- Flat Roof
- Hip Roof
A gable roof is one of the most popular types in Canada, known for its triangular shape. It has the ability to shed snow and water easily. A gable roof can use different materials such as tiles, metallic shingles, asphalt, or shakes.
On the other hand, the mansard roof is popular in French countries and is known for its steeper and lower slope. It has four sides, each with two slopes that can be curvy or flat depending on how well it fits with the overall design of the building. Wood, metal, and slate shingles are some materials that can be used for a mansard roof.
A flat roof has a low-sloped pitch, which makes it look like it is flat. It is usually used for commercial buildings but can be used in residential properties as well. A flat roof requires completely waterproof materials such as gravel, PVC, and metal sheets.
Moreover, a hip roof has four sides with a slope on every side, usually found in America. It provides stability and durability, which is perfect for those living in windy and snowy areas. It can be made from clay tiles, metal, or shingles.
Roof Leaks
Some common causes of roof leaks are worn, broken or missing shingles, loose nails, poorly sealed roofs, or just some poor roofing jobs. In order to find minor leaks inside your house without climbing your roof, you can look for obvious signs such as small holes or water flowing inside. You may also see water stains inside your home or spots on your exterior walls. These signs could mean that it's time to clean your house's eavestroughs and do some of your roof maintenance.
Roof Materials
Steel Roof
Steel Roofing is when metal roofs are coated with zinc and finished with paint, which will help with their weather tolerance and durability. Depending on the roof's maintenance, its lifespan can last up to 50 years. Galvanized steel is an affordable and long-lasting type of roof, which is common for homeowners who wish to have easier roof maintenance.
Aluminum Roof
If the homeowners want a premium roofing system, a great choice is to use aluminium roofs. It is a bit costly compared to a basic steel roof but might avoid expensive repairs and maintenance.
Tile Roof
Depending on the maintenance and climate, a tile roof could last for about 100 years, which is excellent for its high price. It is also durable as it is usually made of moulded or tinted concrete and slate, fired clay, or terracotta. Depending on the desired design, a tile roof can be curved, flat, fluted, or interlocked.
Regular Maintenance
Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly
Regular maintenance should include the removal of leaves and smaller debris in your gutters and downspouts to avoid clogs and leaks inside and outside your house, which could further damage other essential parts of your gutters and home's foundation. Most homeowners in the Ontario area regularly ask for a certified maintenance worker to clean, install, or repair any severe problems or minor damage in their eavestrough installation. This could ensure a cost-effective installation of gutters, which could help you avoid any major gutter problems.
Secure your gutters
You can secure your gutters by regularly replacing your gutter spikes or changing them to gutter screws for better support and security. This will also help you avoid gutter problems due to ice dams during the winter season.
Proper Maintenance
Leaks
For new eavestrough installation, you have to make sure that you've asked for maintenance tips to know how to avoid leaks on your gutters, downspouts, and roofs. As well as how to repair them immediately to prevent water damage and water flow on the roof and the fascia boards should there be a leak.
Routine Maintenance
Replacements
One of the maintenance tips is to replace the roofs, downspouts, and gutters, especially when they have been installed for a long time and when minor repairs do not work anymore. Clogged downspouts could divert water to the roof and pull away from the fascia for a long time. Damaged spikes should also be replaced along with the whole gutter. Any missing or damaged screws or spikes will result in a sagging gutter. It is always better to install high-quality materials to last a long time with minor repairs if needed.
Annual Inspection
It is vital to do an annual maintenance inspection of your roof, gutter, and downspout to ensure a long-lasting roof life. You need to invest in its maintenance, depending on your roof type.
Quality Materials
It is an excellent investment to install quality materials like aluminium gutters, roofs, and downspouts. Aluminium is a high-quality material that could last for over 30 years, depending on your maintenance and repairs. Aside from the wide variety of colours to choose from, it will also last because it will not crack despite the changes in weather and seasons. Moreover, an aluminium roof will not rust or wear out despite using it for years. An aluminium roof is an energy-saving material as it reflects 94% of the heat.
General Maintenance Tips
You mustn't disregard or ignore any minor damage or problems you discover in your roof, gutters, or downspouts in order to avoid further damage that could lead to more expensive repairs in your home. It is important to ensure that your house is safe, clean, and under regular, routine, and proper maintenance to ensure a long-lasting home for your family. It is also important to look for environmentally friendly materials to avoid more damage to our environment. Also, always consider consulting a qualified professional to inspect your gutter, roof, and downspout.
How We Can Help
Are you in the GTA area and looking for help with your eavestrough and gutters? If you'd prefer not to tackle the job yourself, you're in luck as we have the experience and knowledge to handle any problem you're having with your eavestroughs. Get in touch with us today below and let's solve this issue.
