Tips to Prevent Gutter Damage

• Keep Your Gutters Clean

Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of winter gutter damage. When debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt block your gutters, snowmelt has nowhere to go. This can lead to ice dams forming, which add significant weight and pressure. To prevent this, clean your gutters thoroughly in the fall and inspect them regularly during the winter.

• Invest in Gutter Guards

Gutter guards can be a game changer for preventing debris buildup. They act as a shield to keep out leaves and other materials while allowing water to flow freely. With less debris, there’s a lower risk of ice forming and clogging your gutters.

• Ensure Proper Insulation

Ice dams are often caused by poor attic insulation. When heat escapes through your roof, it melts snow, which then refreezes in the gutters, causing blockages and damage. Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic can help prevent this from happening.

• Clear Snow from Your Roof

Heavy snow buildup on your roof can increase the chances of gutter damage. Use a roof rake to carefully remove excess snow, especially after a big storm. By reducing the load on your gutters, you’ll minimize the risk of sagging or detachment.

• Inspect for Damage Regularly

Winter storms can weaken your gutters over time. Inspect your gutters periodically for any signs of damage, like cracks, sagging, or leaks. Catching these issues early can save you from bigger problems later.

• Upgrade to Durable Gutters

If your current gutters are old or prone to damage, consider upgrading to a more durable system. Modern gutters are designed to handle heavy snow and ice better than older models, reducing the risk of failure during harsh winters.

When to Call the Experts

Despite your best efforts, winter can sometimes take a toll on your gutters. If you notice significant damage or feel your gutters aren’t performing as they should, it’s time to call in the professionals. At Emmons, we specialize in installing high-quality gutter systems designed to withstand the toughest weather conditions. Whether you need a repair or a complete gutter replacement, our team is here to help.

Benefits of Installing New Gutters from Emmons

Upgrading to new gutters can make a world of difference when it comes to protecting your home from snow and ice damage. At Emmons, we offer high-quality gutter systems that are designed to handle the challenges of winter weather. Our gutters are built for durability, ensuring they can withstand heavy snow loads and prevent ice dams from forming. Plus, modern gutters improve water drainage, reducing the risk of water damage to your roof, siding, and foundation. With Emmons, you’ll also enjoy a seamless installation process, expert craftsmanship, and peace of mind knowing your home is equipped with a reliable, long-lasting gutter system.

Contact Emmons for All Your Gutter Repair & Replacement Needs

Snow and ice don’t have to wreak havoc on your gutters. By taking preventative measures and addressing issues promptly, you can keep your gutters in great shape throughout the winter. If you need new gutters, expert advice, or are still wondering how to prevent gutter damage from snow, contact us online today.

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How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

The typical advice we give is that you should have your gutters cleaned twice a year. Schedule once in spring and schedule again in autumn after most of the leaves have fallen. But be mindful that this is just a general rule, and it really depends on your unique property. Homes surrounded by tall pine trees, for instance, may need gutter cleaning every three months because those trees shed around the year. If you have a problem with ice in your gutters, on the other hand, keeping them clean manually is all but impossible, and you’re likely better off investing in gutter heaters to avoid the water freezing.

Consider Installing Gutter Guards

One of the best tips for cleaning and maintaining your home’s gutters is to invest in gutter guards, which go by a number of different names, including gutter covers and shields. In many cases, this can reduce how often you need to clean your gutters to just once a year, and keeping most of the debris out of your gutters will also help ensure that you don’t experience any sudden problems between cleanings.

Trim Tree Branches a Safe Distance from the Home

Avoid having tree branches that overhang your roof. The general advice is to maintain a 6-foot perimeter between your roof and any branches, and you should schedule branch trimming service as often as needed to accomplish that.

Ensure Downspouts Are Doing Their Job

Rainwater should flow freely through your downspouts, and you should keep an eye on them for potential clogs. It’s also important that downspouts channel water a safe distance away from your foundation. If they aren’t, you may need to add extensions in order to ensure that it happens.

Hire a Professional

While you can certainly clean your gutters yourself, we strongly encourage you to hire professionals. Cleaning gutters can be dangerous, and professional gutter cleaners can clean your gutters comprehensively in a short period and affordably.

Have Your Gutters Inspected

Have your gutters professionally inspected once a year. If you’re scheduling a cleaning twice a year, make sure you choose experts and not just someone who cleans gutters. That way, your gutters will be inspected as they are cleaned, and we will make any recommendations regarding needed maintenance.

Emmons Is Here to Help

Emmons has a wealth of experience with gutters and offers all the services you need to keep your gutters functioning well and your home protected. Call us today at 1-856-885-6677 or contact us online with any questions about those services or to learn more tips for cleaning and maintaining your home’s gutters.

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Uric Acid in Bird Droppings Damages Roofing

Birds don’t produce urine. Instead, they produce uric acid from the excretion of nitrogenous waste. This is the white paste-like goo that you see in splotches on your vehicles. Uric acid can eat away at your asphalt shingles and other roofing materials. Damage to the asphalt shingles can cause them to be more susceptible to leaks. Also, some birds, like seagulls, tend to congregate in certain areas, particularly pigeons, which could mean that certain areas of your roof are covered with more bird poop than others. This, of course, can be detrimental to your roofing and, therefore, to the structure of your home.

Solution: Wash away the bird droppings with a powerful garden hose. Avoid using a power washer as too forceful of a stream of water can further damage asphalt shingles. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect the areas of concern on your roofing. Repair damaged shingles as necessary. Attach bird deterrents to your roofing, such as spikes or owl decoys to keep birds such as seagulls away.

Seeds in Bird Droppings Clog Gutters

The brown solid substance in bird droppings is poo, which can contain seeds that the birds had ingested. If the seeds are still intact when they are in bird poop, they can sprout and grow, especially when they reach organic material, such as leaves, or water in your gutters after they wash away from the roofing when it rains. As the seeds sprout and grow inside your gutters, they can cause clogs to form. Clogged gutters can cause water to accumulate and back up into your roofing.

If the temperatures then drop below freezing, this water freezes and can create an ice dam. Ice can get underneath the shingles and cause them to lift up, which can allow more water to infiltrate through the roofing materials. After some time, this can lead to water leaks on the ceilings in your home as the water makes it way down through the roofing structures. You may also notice brown streaks on your siding, which is from water damage of the wood structures in your roofing.

Solution: Regularly inspect your gutters for clogs and remove clogs when they are found. Contact a roofing contractor to repair or replace roof shingles and underlayment materials that have been damaged by ice dams. For severe problems that include brown streaks on your siding, hire a structural engineer to determine the extent of water damage to your roofing structure and replace or repair as necessary.

Health Risks of Organisms in Bird Poop

Bird poop contains fungus that can pose health risks to you, your family, and your pets. Fungus in bird droppings can be carried in the air and inhaled into your lungs, which can cause histoplasmosis or cryptococcosis, depending on the type of fungus in the bird droppings. If birds are dropping their excrement onto your exterior HVAC unit, into or near the vents in your attic, or onto roofing that is extensively damaged, there’s a risk that the fungus can get into the living quarters of your home.

Solution: Keep your HVAC unit and attic vents free of bird droppings. Wear a mask when rinsing bird poop, especially if you do so while on the roof or on a ladder. If you do not feel comfortable in cleaning the bird droppings from your roof or gutters yourself, hire a roofing contractor to do it for you.

Contact Emmons Roofing & Siding today to hear how we can help.

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