A gutter replacement project may not be as impressive or exciting as a kitchen remodel or a deck installation, but it’s one of the most important projects you can do. New gutters provide your home with a clean and finished look, and most importantly, keep your home safe and intact. They make this possible by catching and directing runoff to where it can’t do any harm.
Gutters generally come in two types: segmented and seamless. And when asked to choose between the two, make sure to go for seamless gutters. This particular option is several steps above traditional segmented gutters when it comes to draining ability. A seamless system is crafted to precise measurements using a single, continuous piece of metal. This not only cuts back on waste material, but also ensures that the gutters will fit perfectly along your roofline.
Seamless gutters only have seams at the corners, making them less prone to leakage. Segmented gutters, which sport many seams along their length, don’t even come close. The fact that seamless gutters can enhance any home with its sleek and contemporary design also makes them incredibly attractive to New York homeowners. But if you want to get the most out of them, you’ll have to make sure that:
- Your seamless gutters are installed by a trusted gutter company like Barry Best Seamless Gutters.
- You’re proactive about keeping your new seamless gutters clean and clog-free.
If there’s one thing that can compromise the draining performance of your new seamless gutters, it will be congestion. Leaves, pine needles and other loose debris will accumulate inside them over time – it’s an almost undeniable fact. When overlooked, clogged gutters can lead to a number of serious issues.
Why You Should Deal With Clogged Gutters Promptly
Gutters work by channeling runoff away from your home, but they won’t be able to serve their purpose if they’re clogged. You’ll want the issue handled immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be facing:
- Leakage. When the rainwater coming down your roof isn’t drained properly, it will back up inside the gutters instead. This leads to standing water, which slowly deteriorates the gutter while serving as an ideal environment for fungal and bacterial growth. What’s worse, the water may seep through the fascia board and end up leaking into your home.
- Gutter collapse. The blockage created by accumulated leaves and debris, along with standing water, puts unnecessary strain on your gutter system. In fact, that additional weight may cause your new gutters to break loose and start pulling away from the fascia board, eventually resulting in collapse. You don’t want to replace your gutters soon after the last replacement, so do your best to keep your system clean and clog-free.
- Roof damage. When gutters collapse because of the combined weight of accumulated debris and standing water, it’s not just the gutters themselves that become damaged. The roof is negatively affected as well. It’s possible that the fascia board (where the gutters are attached) may get taken down, leaving an opening that makes it easy for wind-driven rain and moisture to enter your roof.
- Damaged exterior and foundation. Overflowing gutters can leave your home exterior and foundation vulnerable to water exposure. Runoff can splash across your siding while pooling water created by leaky gutters at the base of your home can compromise its structural integrity when left unchecked. The effects of clogged gutters may reach your landscaping as well. When runoff isn’t drained properly, they may cause soil erosion and create unsightly fissures in your garden.
Even if you’ve just had a seamless gutter installation done, it’s never too early to think of ways to keep your gutters clean and clog-free. Barry Best Seamless Gutters, the premier gutter specialist in the area, ranks some of your possible solutions.
#4 Scare Away Nesting Birds
Unfortunately, it’s not just fallen leaves and debris that find their way into your gutters. You’ll need to watch out for birds as well. Birds are pretty, sure, and they cheer you up with their songs, but this doesn’t mean they’re allowed to nest inside your gutters. To stop them from clogging the system, you’re free to try these repelling tactics:
- Set up decoys. Birds absolutely hate snakes, spiders and other predatory birds, such as owls. By placing decoys of their natural predators near your gutters, you can make birds scared enough to make them fly the other way. Of course, this solution may work only temporarily. Eventually, the birds will wise up and ignore the decoys.
- Use sound to your advantage. Certain frequencies can naturally scare away birds. There are several types of ultrasonic bird-repellent devices available today, each one providing varying results. You can try to set up one if you want birds to leave your gutters alone. Incidentally, you can also use certain smells, such as garlic, cayenne pepper, chili, lemon and vinegar to keep birds out of your gutters.
#3 Cut Back Trees and Tall Hedges
Trees and other foliage help elevate the look of your outdoor space. But if they are placed a bit too close to your home, their branches may end up encroaching on your roof and gutters. This runs the risk of gutter congestion and possible impact damage to your roof during a storm. You’ll want to trim them back for this reason. This means taking out your pruning tools and a sturdy ladder. Unless you already know what you’re doing, this task can be challenging and not a little bit risky. If you’re not up for it, there’s no harm in taking a hands-free approach and hiring a professional to cut back any tree branches and tall hedges near your gutters.
#2 Invest in Professional Gutter Cleaning
How about going for a professional gutter cleaning service? It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your new seamless gutters clear and clog-free. Try to inspect the system every month, and schedule a regular cleanup with a local gutter professional. Make sure that no 30-day period passes without a quick evaluation of your gutters’ current condition. Have any leaves, birds’ nests and loose debris cleared away if you find them. And most importantly, make sure to hire a reliable gutter company like Barry Best Seamless Gutters for the task. We’re not just your premier source of heated gutter systems – we can also handle your gutter cleaning needs.
Barry Best Seamless Gutters is:
- Fully licensed, bonded and insured for your greater protection.
- Experienced in all things gutter-related, with over 29 years of serving communities in Syracuse, NY, and beyond.
- Well-reviewed, earning 5-star reviews and ratings locally and in Google My Business. We also maintain a prominent A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. At Barry Best Seamless Gutters, your complete satisfaction is one of our top priorities.
#1 Have a Quality Gutter Protection System Installed
The simplest way to maintain clog-free gutters is to cover them with a quality gutter protection system. With gutter guards in place, you won’t have to make an effort scaring away birds or put yourself at risk by cutting back trees and hedges. There are many options for gutter protection available to you, but if you want something that’s truly high-quality and effective, go for the Gutter Helmet® guards offered by Barry Best Seamless Gutters.
Gutter Helmet sets itself apart from gutter protection options with its patented nose-forward design, a unique feature that allows rainwater to flow smoothly through the system while keeping everything else out. Made of lightweight aluminum, Gutter Helmet guards can easily fit with your seamless gutters. Their durable construction, which increases tensile strength, and ribbed and textured surface, which promotes surface tension, allow them to withstand heavy rainfall, high winds, and snow loads.
Thanks to advanced PermaLife™ Finish, Gutter Helmet guards are impervious to chalking, fading and corrosion. PermaLife is also available in a wide variety of lovely and timeless colors, making Gutter Helmet easier to match with your home exterior palette. And when you invest in this exceptional gutter protection system, you get additional protection through a Triple Lifetime Warranty.
