Gutter Maintenance Tips

Drip Edge Installation and Maintenance

Many roofing companies may suggest that a drip edge is unnecessary, primarily because installing it can extend the duration of the job. However, a drip edge provides lasting protection for your home. Some might argue that a shingle can function as a drip edge if placed over the roof’s edge into the gutter. In reality, a properly installed 3-foot drip edge is crucial for directing water into the gutter and preventing potential damage.

What is a drip edge?

A drip edge is a piece of aluminum that goes under the shingle into the gutter. It helps control the flow of water away from the fascia protecting your foundation by diverting water from running down the side of your home.

Benefits For Your Gutters

This vital gutter accessory actually extends the life of your roof and delays any gutter repair. When a roofer extends the shingle over the gutter instead of installing a drip edge, your shingle deteriorates faster; over time your shingles will curl, either from heat or ice damns in your gutter. As shingles curl or break off, gaps are created, allowing water to reach your house. This can lead to water damage to your roof and foundation.

In most cases a drip edge should be installed when the roof is installed, however its not too late for you, as they can be installed later. The important thing is if you see signs take action and call Clear Ottawa right away. We want to save you thousands in repairs.

The Role of Splash Guards in Gutter Maintenance

Another accessory for gutters that promote proper water shedding is a splash guard. What is a splash guard and what is it purpose?

Splash guards are flat, 90-degree aluminum flashings secured to your gutters with screws. These pieces are installed at the inside corners where the valleys of your roof converge, which are prone to higher water flow. When water converges in these valleys, it can create miniature rivers that overshoot the gutter and splash against the foundation, potentially causing trenching in the landscape. Depending on the roof, this crucial accessory can be purchased for under $50 and can be installed by a team like Clear Ottawa in under an hour. Additionally, splash guards can often be matched to the color of your gutter, making them less noticeable.

Gutter Guards: Solving Common Gutter Problems

Gutter guards are designed to act as a filter over your gutters, blocking debris from entering without hindering their ability to channel water away from your home.

While they are not a perfect solution for maintaining fully functional gutters, they significantly reduce the need for maintenance. This is why we recommend our customers consider this valuable accessory.

 

Although gutter guards are not foolproof, regular maintenance and gutter cleaning remain essential. Fortunately, having a gutter guard installed significantly reduces the time required for cleaning your gutters.

We offer a free first-time inspection and cleaning to ensure the gutter guards are working efficiently. To confirm their effectiveness, we also simulate rainfall to test our work.

Here are a couple more preventative measures you can take to ensure that your foundation is safe.

Proper Land Grading for Enhanced Water Drainage 

The ground around your home plays a crucial role in protecting your foundation. For a home to efficiently deter water away it needs to have at least a 5 degree slope. According to TheSpruce.com, a good slope to aim for when grading land from a house foundation is about 6 inches for the first 10 feet.

A five-degree slope is essential to prevent water from pooling around a foundation. Even the most watertight foundation can be compromised in an environment with excessive water, as concrete is not waterproof. Regardless of how secure a foundation may seem, prolonged exposure to water will eventually lead to infiltration.

If you haven’t already, take a look around your home to check for any telltale signs of poor grading. These signs include:

• water pooling under gutters and downspouts
• soil around your home is eroding and forming trenches
• topsoil moves every time it rains

Gutter Seam Care for Leak Prevention

Even the best gutter systems can fail if gutter seams are left without maintenance. Gutter seams are often found in the interior and exterior corners. Gutter seams, often found in interior and exterior corners, are initially sealed with caulking when the system is installed. However, caulking needs to be replaced over time as it shrinks and cracks, allowing water to seep through. 

Proper maintenance of gutter seams involves removing the old caulking, cleaning the surface with an alcohol-based product, and applying fresh caulking. This simple yet important task can be an added feature of our gutter cleaning service.

Typically, we schedule this job when your gutters are dry. However, we also have special caulking that can be applied in wet and cold conditions, ensuring your gutters remain functional regardless of the weather.

Conclusion

A healthy foundation relies on a well-functioning gutter system. Your foundation is not designed to handle water exposure; that’s the job of your gutters. In this two-part article, we’ve discussed how to protect your foundation by maintaining and improving your gutter system:

• regular gutter cleaning
• proper sized downspouts for your home
• zip hinges
• installing drip edges
• splash guards
• gutter guards
• Proper grading around your foundation
• Re-caulking gutter seams

It may seem like a lot of work all at once, so instead of taking on everything at once, start with the basics and add one tip to your service the next time you call us.

Bottom line: if you see the effects of water around your foundation or notice any gutter problems, don’t ignore them. Take action! We want to help you avoid costly repairs. With a little maintenance, your foundation can continue to support your biggest investment.

Thanks for reading friends, until next time!