As summer comes to a close, this is a perfect time to finish up some home upgrades. The weather will remain excellent for outdoor work, and you can get a few final upgrades in just before the punishment of winter kicks in. Of all the projects you can consider, your gutters are one of the best to consider for an affordable cost, but great payoff when it comes to benefitting your home, both functionally and in home value. Let’s take some time to consider a few upgrades you can take on for your gutters!
Install or Replace Gutter Guards
Your gutters will get clogged over time, and these clogs are one of the most common causes of long term gutter damages. An easy way to upgrade your gutters and prevent this long term damage is to install good quality gutter guards. Gutter guards will reduce (but not eliminate) the need for regular gutter cleanings by preventing objects like leaves and sticks from getting into your gutters in the first place. Make sure to get a high quality gutter guard that keeps out smaller objects like pine needles to make sure you’re getting the most out of them. Getting gutter guards made from steel or aluminum is also important to ensure their durability.
Clean and Paint
Because they spend their time capturing and diverting water and runoff from your home, gutters naturally are not the nicest looking part of your home. Mold and mildew will sprout overtime, particularly in seasons of heavy rains in the spring. Winter brings its own issues with dust and grime buildup as snow clings to, and then melts off of, your gutters. And even if you have a gutter guard, chances are over the course of a year, you’ll have at least some buildup of debris inside your gutter from different seasons of runoff. A good cleaning, inside and out, of your gutters will go along way to improving your home’s appearance, as well as lengthening the lifetime of your gutters. A paint job is also a great way to polish your home’s appearance, as gutters can get their paint chipped and cracked over time and harsh weather punishment.
Upgrade to Aluminum
The vast majority of gutter systems installed in homes are made from vinyl. While this is a lightweight and affordable material, it also is nowhere near as durable as aluminum. Aluminum gutters, while still lightweight, will hold up better to the rough and tumble punishment of regular storms and the wide temperature swings that different seasons bring in the midwest. Seamless gutters made from aluminum are an especially great upgrade, as the lack of seams means they are even less prone to clogs and leaks than a standard sectional vinyl gutter.
Hopefully, we’ve given you some great ideas on how you can begin planning your home improvement projects for this fall today! And if you’re interested, call us for your inspection and estimate, our roofing and gutter experts are ready and waiting to help you make your home look its best!