Quality roofing protects Missouri and Illinois homes from the natural elements. It keeps pests out, prevents solar heat gains, and traps conditioned air inside. But without functional gutters, roofs won’t offer the protection that homeowners need. Gutters prevent uncontrolled runoff and foundation damage by directing water and snow-melt along determined paths. Read on to learn all about gutter roof synergy and why year-round gutter maintenance is so important.
How Gutters and Roofs Work Together
All roofs have slopes. Even flat roofs have a minimum rise of 1/4 inch per foot. A roof’s slope moves water toward its edges via gravity’s pull so that it doesn’t collect, become stagnant, and cause roof damage. Gutters catch this runoff and funnel it toward downspouts. Downspouts move runoff to landscape drains, drain ditches, or stormwater drains. Together, your roof and your roof drainage protect your siding, foundation, and roofing materials.
Gutters also route heavy runoff away from underlying appliances. If you have a central air conditioner, a mini-split system, or a heat pump, its compressor sits in your back or side yard, just beneath your roof’s edge. With missing, damaged, or blocked gutters, uncontrolled runoff could flood and harm this equipment.
Seasonal Gutter & Roof Maintenance Tips for MO & IL
In the fall, clear out all loose gutter debris. Remove leaves, twigs, and other buildups, and inspect your gutters and downspouts for loose, sagging, or badly corroded components. In winter, be on the lookout for gutter leaks and ice dams. Leaky gutters can lead to bulging and discolored siding, water spots on your ceilings, and blistered or peeling paint. Ice dams cause heavy icicles along roof edges, uneven snow melt, and icy buildups on siding and soffits. Just like gutters, ice-laden soffits can have a detrimental impact on your home.
When spring arrives, get ready to clean your gutters again. Instead of the dry leaves and twigs of autumn, you’ll find blossoms, seeds, pine needles, and even sprouting saplings. If you have low-hanging trees or large bird populations in your area, you may even find nesting materials. After cleaning your gutters, check for leaky seals and loose fasteners. Winter’s freezing temperatures and expanding water can lead to loose brackets and other hardware problems as the weather warms.
During the summer months, check your gutters for pests. In mid and late summer, look for heat damage and age-related decline. Late summer is a great time to schedule gutter replacement services or gutter repairs, before the cold season comes rolling in.
Comprehensive gutter maintenance is often a job best left to professionals. This is especially true in autumn and spring, when trapped debris is at its heaviest. Professionals use quality fall protection gear and can access the interior of gutters in hard-to-reach places. With professional gutter maintenance, you’ll get a comprehensive inspection, recommendations for repairs or replacement, and lasting peace of mind. For best results, schedule professional gutter maintenance before winter and again in mid-spring.
When Gutters Need Repair or Replacement
A key step in maintaining reliable gutter and roofing protection is scheduling timely gutter repairs. You should schedule gutter repair service whenever your gutters are no longer effectively routing water away from your home. Common signs of gutter trouble include:
- Pooling water around building foundations
- Overflowing water
- Imminent gutter detachment
- Rust-colored stains on siding
- Peeling gutter paint
Poor gutter performance can cause increased humidity in low-lying areas. If you have dank, moldering odors in your basement, visible mold and mildew in crawlspaces, and increased humidity indoors, damaged gutters could be the culprit.
Advanced wear and significant structural damage often indicate the need for gutter replacement. Loose and leaky gutter seams, visible holes, and widespread corrosion are all indications that gutters have reached the end of their lifespan.
Gutters have an average lifespan of 15 to 25 years. However, the service life of your gutters and overall roof drainage system could be much shorter or longer, depending on various factors. Insufficient maintenance, substandard materials, and inaccurate installation can cause gutters and downspouts to fail before their time. Harsh climates and unchecked repair issues can also shorten the lifespan of gutters.
Keep Your Roof and Gutters Working in Harmony
John Beal Roofing is a top choice for professional, year-round gutter maintenance. Since 1947, we’ve proudly served Missouri and Illinois with expert roofing services. We install, maintain, and repair gutters of all materials and types. As a third-generation family roofing company, we offer the industry’s longest workmanship warranty. Our clients can also count on us for upfront pricing and convenient scheduling. For roof gutter emergencies, we offer 24/7 emergency services.
For help maintaining gutter roof synergy, get in touch with John Beal Roofing today.
