Common Roof Guttering Mistakes Made By Homeowners
Posted on: 9 July 2018
If your home needs new gutters, you want to consider having a professional install these for you. Roof guttering is not as simple as it might appear, and installing these pieces incorrectly can mean bent or broken gutters, water runoff, and other such damage. However, if you do want to try to tackle this job yourself, note a few common roof guttering mistakes to avoid.
Aligning gutters with the roof line
Homeowners often think that the back of a gutter should be aligned with the edge of the roof, but this can lead to water running off behind the gutters and then along the outside walls of your home. Instead, gutters are typically placed slightly behind the edge of the roof, so that they can easily catch all the rainwater possible, and avoid having any of it drip over the back edge of the gutters.
Not using enough hangers
Gutters are attached to a home's roof with hangers, brackets, or other such connectors. A homeowner may not realize how many of these pieces should be used, perhaps reasoning that as long they hold up the gutters, they've used enough! However, don't forget how heavy those gutters get when full of water, leaves, silt, and other debris. Not using enough hangers can mean gutters that eventually sag and even outright bend, so that your home has water running over the gutters and the gutters themselves then need repair or replacement.
Not angling the gutters
Gutters are actually angled or pitched downward just a slight bit, so that water is encouraged to run to connected downspouts. Installing gutters that are level and even is actually a mistake, as this will encourage standing water in the gutters; standing water can lead to pest infestations, mould growing along the roof eaves, and other such damage. If you're not sure how to properly angle and pitch the gutters, leave this work to a professional.
Not installing leaf guards
Leaf guards can ensure that your home's gutters don't get clogged with leaves, twigs, silt, seeds, and other such debris. This will mean less cleaning of the gutters is needed, and less chance of those gutters getting overly full so that water runs over the sides. When choosing new gutters, you can opt for a style with leaf guards or screens attached along the top, or purchase leaf guards you install along with your new gutters, so they're protected from clogs and damage, and last as long as possible.
Share