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What are Gutters and Downspouts?
One of the most overlooked systems on the exterior of a home is the rain carrier system consisting of gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts are very important to every home because they are what catch the rain coming off the roof and direct all the water away from your house. If your house is not equipped with the proper rain carrier system, then water would be able to run freely down the side of your house, splash debris onto your siding, damage and crack your foundation, and erode your landscaping. Gutters hang on the edge of your roof where water would drain. They are slightly pitched to whichever side a downspout is to be installed. Proper pitching ensures maximum water flow during precipitation. There can be more than one downspout within a single gutter run. The downspout is typically installed at the end of the gutter for performance and aesthetics. Downspouts are then ran from the gutter all the way to the finished grade into either a drain tile or onto the landscaping. Drain tiles offer better performance because they direct the water farther away from the house without damming up and do not erode the landscaping. Downspout extensions can also be installed at the last elbow to help redirect water away from the house. It is very important to make sure both the gutters and downspouts are installed and working properly on your house, garage, or out building.
Types of Gutters and Downspouts.
There are several types of gutters and downspouts that can be installed on your home. Today, the most popular type of gutter is a seamless gutter. These start out as a large coil of aluminum that then get ran through a custom gutter machine. The installer first measures the length of the gutter run, then makes the one piece gutter with the machine to the exact length. If it is a really long run, it may take more than one person to put it up. Seamless gutters are ideal because there are no seams! This eliminates the chances of leaks or debris building up inside, and looks very clean. Gutters come in either 5″ or 6″ sizes. The bigger the gutter, the more water that can flow. There are also copper gutters, galvanized steel gutters, and vinyl gutters. Copper gutters and the most expensive, but add a nice custom touch to the home. Galvanized steel gutters can commonly be found on commercial applications. Vinyl gutters are nice because they are cheap, but do not come in seamless so they are prone to leaks.
Downspouts come in several different types also. Most commonly there are 2″x3″ and 3″x4″ aluminum downspouts. Again the larger the downspout, the more water that they can flow. Colors are plentiful to match or compliment your home.
Leaf Protection
Leaf protection is always forgotten about until it rains and you notice your gutters are overflowing with water and your downspouts are clogged! Going on your roof to clean your gutters in the middle of a storm is NOT the best idea. If you have any trees next to your house, or even nearby, then it is wise to have leaf protection on your rain carrier system. Everyone knows that leaves don’t fall directly down to ground always. They have a tendency to blow around, especially in a storm, and find your gutters and downspouts quite conveniently. When sticks, needles, leaves, or other foreign objects find your rain carrier system, they seem to make that home for quite a while. Whenever a little blockage occurs in downspouts or gutters, it only gets worse over time. Having a leaf protection system will ensure you never have to worry about cleaning your gutters again. Contact your local gutter installer to see which leaf protection system would work best for your house. Most leaf protectors can be retro-fitted to your existing gutters. But if you have existing leaks or problems with your gutters and downspouts, it may be best to see if you need a whole new rain carrier system consisting of gutters, downspouts, and leaf protection.
Call Classic Gutter Co., Inc., at (708) 450-9666 for more information and installation regarding any of your rain carrier system needs.
How Long Should My Roof Last?
This is one of the most common questions asked in the home improvement industry: Should I repair or replace my roof? The simple answer is that it depends upon the age of the roof, and the type of roofing material used. Generally speaking, a ten year old asphalt shingle roof that is leaking just needs to be repaired. But don’t delay… Too many people overlook or put off the repair or replacement of their roof until severe damage has occurred. The first question you should ask yourself is how old is my roof? If it is less than 15 years old, then you might be able to repair your leaking or damaged roof. If it is 15 years old or older, then it may be time to replace your roof. Depending on where you live and how much the environmental conditions affect your roof, your roof may need to be replaced less or more frequently than others. Whichever the case, it is always best for a professional to come out and evaluate your roofing system. Both asphalt and cedar shake roofs need to be maintained and replaced whenever damage occurs and should not be ignored.
Repairing My Damaged Roof
How can you tell your roof is damaged? The first thing you may notice is missing shingles, which results in water leaks. Missing, cracked or damaged shingles will cause water leaks every time. A strong rain storm can drive the rain under the shingles and into the ceilings and attics below. Other elements that will damage your roof over time are wind, hail, sun, snow, ice, condensation, leaves, and debris. It is important to keep your roof clean and in good working condition at all times. By cleaning your roof regularly, you get to inspect your roof to check for damages or warn out sections. If you notice any areas that has missing, cracked, or damaged shingles, you should get that repaired immediately.
Replacing My Old Roof
Most people don’t realize they need to have their roof replaced rather than repaired. Most roofs only last up to 15 years. If your roof is 15 years old and you are asking yourself if you can get away with repairing it, the answer is no. Another quick way to see if you need to replace your roof is to take a pair of binoculars, go to the street and look at your roof. If you see deteriorated, missing, or damaged shingles, most likely it is time to replace your roof. The first thing homeowners should do when putting money into their home is to have a premium roofing system. It may seem like a large amount of money at first, but it will be much cheaper in the long run because you won’t have to deal with water leaks and damages. The cost of a new roof can range greatly depending on the type of roof, the type of shingle, and the age of your existing roof. Classic Gutter Co., Inc., makes sure you get what you pay for. The first thing to consider when choosing a new roof is the type of material such as asphalt, cedar, fiberglass or metal. It is best for a professional to come out and discuss all of your possibilities so you know exactly what you need.
Types of Roofs
Classic Gutter Co., Inc. offers several different brands, styles, and colors. There are several types of roofs and roofing materials which offer several pros and cons compared to each other. The most common roofing material are asphalt shingles because they are cheaper and last longer than cedar shake roofs. Asphalt shingles are low maintenance, last long, and are reliable. There are dozens of options when choosing asphalt shingles which include different profiles and colors. Today, the most common scenario is replacing your 3-tab style asphalt shingle with a 3-dimensinoal architectural asphalt shingle because it makes your roof look more appealing. Cedar shake roofs are also popular because of their styling and they can last up to 30 years if maintained properly. They do require more maintenance but if cared for properly, they finish the house off quite nicely. Metal roofs are becoming more popular in the Chicago area because they are virtually maintenance free. They are made out of galvanized steel which means they won’t rust. Metal roofs are also fire resistant, hail resistant, wind resistant, and very durable. These roofs can last up to 30 years if maintained properly. It is best for a professional to come out and discuss all of your possibilities so you know exactly what you need. Call Classic Gutter Co., Inc., at (708) 450-9666 for a free estimate.
Why have Classic Gutter Co., Inc., Come Out for a Free Estimate?
Classic Gutter Co., Inc., will not only give you the best solution for your roof, but will also look at all of your exterior components to make sure everything functions, and looks great. These components include your rain carrier system of gutters and downspouts, soffit and fascia, windows and doors, and siding. So call us at (708) 450-9666 to discuss ALL of your possibilities.
If you are trying to save money, sometimes the lowest bid looks mighty attractive. But is there a catch? Often this bidder doesn’t have insurance and they pass the ‘savings’ on to you.
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