Spring Showers (and Summer Rain)

If April showers bring May Flowers, then a May full of monsoon-like spring rains that we had at the beginning of this month — brings clogged gutters.  It’s hard to focus on gutters and gutter guards, the unsung heroes of exteriors. But fail to give them some respect, and you won’t like the outcome.

The gutter system is important because it collects water from the roof and channels it away from your home. Without a functional gutter system, rainwater can land close to the house, damage the foundation and landscaping, and even allow water to encroach on roof shingles and cause damage to the roof’s underlying structure. Poorly functioning gutters leave your home exposed to potentially costly damage and repairs.

Here are three reasons to make sure your gutter system is working optimally:

• Enables longer roof life
  Water can seep under your roof’s shingles or damage your soffit and fascia if gutters are clogged. Rainwater overflow from a blocked gutter can weaken your roof, cause mold to grow, and cause further damage to both the exterior and interior of your home.
• Protects your home’s foundation
  Clogs can cause water to pool at the blockage and flow over the gutter to the soil around your foundation. Over time, this can erode your soil, cause basement flooding, and cause cracks in the foundation.
• Protects your home’s siding
  If your gutters aren’t clear and functioning, you could be allowing damage to your siding, especially if you have wood- or stone-based siding. Overflowing gutters and broken downspouts cause water to flow down your siding and inflict damage such as weakened siding, mold, cracks, and more.

Gutter guards generally make all those worries go away. Simply, gutter guards prevent the buildup of leaves, twigs, and other debris to allow water to flow through the gutters uninhibited.

At Ferris Home Improvements, we exclusively use Leaf Solution Xtreme® Gutter Guard, a U.S.-made stainless-steel micro-mesh over a honeycomb aluminum frame that tops the industry for strength, resistance to sticking debris, and product lifespan. Oh, and it’s made in the U.S.!

Give us a call and let us come out and give you a free gutter checkup. Whether you are installing new gutters or just need to improve the function of your current gutters, gutter guards are a key element in keeping your home dry and safe.