First Time Homeowners Guide to All Things Gutters

First-time homeowners have many things to learn when it comes to the various aspects of home maintenance. When you live in an apartment, you get the luxury of the maintenance crew staying on top of the exterior needs of the building. As a homeowner, these tasks and responsibilities are all on you! One thing many homeowners often neglect is their gutters! Gutters are essential to keeping your home safe and in great condition.

Are you a first-time homeowner? If so, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about maintaining your home’s gutters. From the frequency of cleanings to the importance of gutter guards, this guide covers everything you need to know about gutters as a first-time homeowner.

What Do Gutters Do?

Gutter systems have a very important role in your home! You may have realized it, but the purpose of gutters and downspouts is to direct water away from the home’s foundation. Gutter systems must be maintained in order to work properly, as debris and blockages can impair their functionality. Your home’s gutter system helps prevent damage to the foundation of the home, flooding, roof damage, and much more.

A functioning gutter system collects rainfall and directs it through downspouts pointed away from the home. This keeps your roof dry and keeps water away from the home’s foundation. Gutters that are not functioning properly can quickly result in costly repairs and problems.

Types of Gutter Styles

Depending on the type of home you’ve purchased, you may find varying types of gutters. Some of the most common gutter styles include:

• Half-Round: Half-Round gutters have a rounded bottom with a “U” shape. Often, this type of gutter style is found in older homes. Half-round gutters are usually considered a premium option since they are often made from copper.
• K-Style: K-Style gutters are one of the more common types of gutter designs. This style of gutters can carry more water than half-round gutters. According to the experts at Gutter Supply, this style is best for those who live in areas with lots of rainfall.
• Box Style: Box Style gutters come in various configurations and sizes to match your home. Box-style gutters in larger sizes can accommodate larger homes or homes with steeply pitched roofs. This style is also commonly used in commercial buildings.

Not all gutters come with gutter guards; however, you can always add them later to any type of gutter. Depending on the setting of your home, gutter guards may be helpful. For example, if you have large trees in your yard, you’re bound to get more buildup from debris in your gutters. Gutter guards are a smart investment to help keep your gutters working. In the long term, installing gutter guards saves homeowners time and money!

Why Should I Add Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards keep water flowing away from the home while blocking out leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris that can cause clogs. Consider the following reasons to install gutter guards:

• Easier maintenance due to less frequent cleanings needed
• More protection for your home
• Minimize mold and mildew growing around your home
• Helps with pest control
• Offers fire protection for home

Gutter Supply experts recommend homeowners remember to check and clear their gutter systems regularly in order to protect their home from water damage. Inevitably, many homeowners get busy and forget to perform this chore often enough.

Maintaining Gutters

If you’ve noticed your home’s gutters are not functioning properly, such as water running over the edge rather than down the downspouts, then they may be due for a cleaning. Over time, if gutters are full of debris, they may become weakened and begin pulling away from your house. Ultimately, this can result in expensive repairs. Or, worse, it can cause serious damage to your home. Maintaining your home’s gutters not only saves you money long-term but also protects and maintains the value of your home.

If you don’t feel safe cleaning your gutters on your own, that’s ok. According to the experts at Gutter Supply, they recommend new homeowners hire a professional gutter cleaning service and avoid using dangerous ladders.

On average, you will want to have your home’s gutters cleaned at least two times per year, usually in the spring and fall. However, if you have gutter guards, you won’t need to have them cleaned as often. Gutter cleaning involves removing buds, dirt, debris, leaves, and other items that may block proper water flow through the gutters.

Homeowners should regularly perform visual gutter checks, especially after heavy storms. During storms, gutters can become dislodged or damaged.

Owning a Home Can Be Fun!

While gutter maintenance may not be the most exciting thing you tackle as a homeowner, it’s certainly important. Use these tips for first-time homeowners to help maintain your new home’s gutters.

To reward yourself, focus on tackling a more exciting outdoor project for your new home. As a first-time homeowner, you’re bound to be excited to put your personal touch on your new space. To learn more fun tips, check out these ways to turn your empty yard into an outdoor paradise. With your own personal touches, your new home will feel personalized in no time!