Maximizing the Efficiency of Your Drainage Gutter System

The state of your guttering is probably not something that you ever think about. Until you need to, that is. For most people, only when they see plants growing out of the top of the gutters or notice rainwater spilling over the sides do they give their gutter system any consideration at all. But when it comes to drainage gutter system, prevention is usually better than cure.To that end, there are things you can do to maximize their efficiency. Moreover, according to the experts at Global Gutter Systems, regular maintenance of the gutter system is one of the best ways to ensure they keep working as they should. Here then are a few things that can be done.

Clean the Gutters Regularly

It is normal for things like leaves, twigs, and other airborne items to end up in the gutters. Don’t be surprised to find pieces of trash up there too when you go to have a look. The problem occurs if these items are allowed to accumulate in the gutter system and cause a blockage. The whole purpose of a gutter system is to drain rain water away from the roof of the house, but if there is a blockage then the water will have nowhere to go except over the sides. Cleaning the gutters regularly (at least twice a year) is one way to prevent this from happening.

Install Rain Gutter Covers

If you live in an area where there are a lot of tall trees and your gutters are clogging up regularly, installing rain gutter coverings might help rectify the issue. These covers allow water and small particles to get into the gutters but usually keep larger items such as leaves and twigs out. However, having rain coverings does not mean that blockages cannot still occur. The gutters are likely to require less cleaning if you have covers but you should still check them periodically to ensure they are not clogged with mud and silt and that plants are not starting to grow up there. Note that gutter covers will not prevent airborne seeds from passing through.

Check the Pitch of Your Gutters

If your gutter system does not seem to be draining water properly and you cannot see any obvious blockages, then it could be that the pitch of the gutters is incorrect. This is likely to be more of a problem through a DIY installation than it would be with if the gutters were installed professionally. Nevertheless, it is still worth checking. If the gutters are not pitched at the correct slope, rainwater might not flow to the downspout and could be sitting in the gutters. Call a professional gutter installer to check your system.

Consider Extensions to Your Downspouts

One of the biggest issues with a drainage gutter system is that the water being directed from the roof is not adequately drained away. This could be because the downspout is too near to the foundations of the home. If this is the case, downspout extensions can help ensure that water is directed to a specific drain or, at the very least, away from the base of the property. This helps prevent damage to the foundations of the home and stops anybuildup of damp or mold on the exterior walls.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance and cleaning of the gutter system is recommended for maximizing its efficiency. Things like clogged gutters could cause damage to foundations and the exterior walls of a home, so it is important to keep gutters clear. In addition to regular cleaning, you can consider installing gutter coverings and downspout extensions.