Construction & Contractors Blog
Installing gutter covers on your home can reduce the amount of debris that falls in them and helps avoid blockages. The covers can also reduce the time you need to spend cleaning the gutters in the fall, but they are still some things you need to consider when you want to install them onto your home.
Preparing The Gutters
Before installing any gutter covers, you need to check the entire gutter system for damage and clean it thoroughly. Any leaves or debris left in the gutter can cause a blockage, and once the covers are in place, you will need to remove them to get to the backup.
There are some gutter cover services that you can hire to come and clean your gutters, then install the covers if you prefer. A service like this is an excellent option for people that do not like heights or if your home is very tall. Some services will bring a bucket truck to work from, making the process faster and far safer than working on a ladder.
No matter who does the gutter cleaning, the gutters need to be inspected for damage and repairs must be made once the whole system is complete. Seams may need resealing, the downspouts may need to be reattached, and if the gutters are coming loose from the house, this needs to be taken care of as well.
Installing The Gutter Covers
Once the repairs are made to the gutters, and you are ready to put the covers on, you will need to decide what style to use. Some have a mesh screen on them, and others with a small opening in a nearly solid top. No gutter cover will stop all the debris from settling, but if leaves and other objects are on top of the screens, you can hose them off much more quickly than if they build up inside the gutter. When leaves and other materials settle on the gutter covers, they can easily dry out in the sun and blow off eventually. Overall, having the covers installed means your gutters will work regardless of debris.
A gutter cover service can install the covers for you by snapping them in place. Most of them sit inside the grove along the gutter's top edge and do not require screws or hardware to secure them. If you need to access the gutter under the cover, it can quickly be pulled out and replaced when ready.
If you think you might need to take a cover off from time to time, have the installer show you how to get them off and then put them back. This way, you know how to do so if needed. For more information, contact a gutter cover service.
Share9 February 2021
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
