Are you a Hingham homeowner who takes pride in maintaining the integrity and beauty of your Massachusetts home?
If so, then today’s post is just for you! Let’s talk about an often overlooked yet critical aspect of home maintenance – gutter cleaning, and how it relates to preserving the integrity and health of your roofing system.
Norfolk County Weather Can Be Unpredictable
Here in Norfolk County, we can experience various weather conditions. And each season brings with it its unique challenges for our homes. From the falling foliage in autumn, summer, which brings heat and sun, and winter’s heavy snows, our roofs (and our gutters) can take a beating!
But with so many things to do, gutter cleaning might be the last thing on your mind, right? You’re not alone! Many homeowners often forget about this maintenance chore.
However, we’re here to talk about how this seemingly trivial task is crucial in maintaining a safe and robust roof, saving you from future headaches and unnecessary expenses.
Autumn Leaves: A Pretty Picture But A Gutter’s Nightmare
When the leaves start falling in Massachusetts, autumn brings a riot of beautiful colors. But underpinning this breathtaking beauty lurks a potential threat to our homes. Leaf-clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and damage your home’s siding, foundation, and – you guessed it – roof!
Professional Tip: Clean your gutters at least once during the fall season. Keeping those gutters clear prevents accumulated debris from blocking the flow of rainwater, ultimately protecting your roof from potential water damage.
Spring And Summer Storms: The Underestimated Threat To Your Gutters
We must remember the storms that spring and summer often bring to the region. While the warmer seasons are welcome after a long, cold winter, they can be just as tough on your gutters.
Thunderstorms, notorious for high winds, can cause tree limbs to break off and obstruct your gutters. When this debris accumulates, it can result in severe blockages that impede the flow of rainwater, putting your roof and home at risk.
Other threats from severe storms, like hail and torrential rain, can cause damage to your shingles. If this happens, small granules from the shingles can wash into the gutters, creating another obstruction.
These circumstances highlight the need for post-storm checks and cleanups. After any significant storm, inspecting your roof and gutters is a good idea.
Clear out any fallen branches, leaves, or shingle granules that could cause blockages. By taking these proactive steps, you’re extending the life of your roof and ensuring your gutters remain in top-notch condition, ready to handle the next storm that comes their way!
Winter Woes: Ice And Snow
The blustery winters in Massachusetts can be incredibly challenging for our roofs.
Your roofing system is responsible for keeping your family safe and bears the weight of all the snow and ice that piles up on top.
Remember that the weight of a cubic foot of snow can vary greatly depending on snow density, which is affected by factors including temperature, moisture content of the falling snow, and changes over time due to compression, melting, and refreezing.
As a rough guideline, here are some estimated weights on snow:
- Fresh, light snow: 5-10 pounds per cubic foot
- Settled snow: 15-20 pounds per cubic foot
- Ice: approximately 57 pounds per cubic foot
Depending on the severity of snow and weather conditions, this weight gets heavy quickly! And as it melts away, the job of your gutter system is to move the melted runoff away from your home.
And when you add other threats like ice dams, you’ll want to be sure your gutters are ready to rise to the task.
Professional Tip: Cleaning eaves of any debris before the winter season helps ensure that ice, snowmelt and runoff routes have a clear passage away from your home.
Spotting The Warning Signs: When Your Gutter System Needs Attention
Detecting potential issues before they get bigger can save you significant time, hassle, and expense. Here are some visible signs that your gutter system might be compromised:
Sagging Gutters – Drooping gutters usually indicate that your gutters require care and attention.
Overflowing Water – Should you see water overflowing your gutters during a rainstorm, they’re likely clogged and unable to drain correctly.
Peeling Paint Or Rusted Gutters – Standing or leaking runoff can cause the paint on your gutters to peel or rust.
Water Stains or Mold on Your Home’s Exterior – Discoloration on the interior or exterior of your home is often a sign of water damage that faulty gutters could directly cause.
Eroded Landscaping – When functioning correctly, gutters direct water away from your home. Eroded soil or washed-out landscaping can point to overflowing gutters.
Avoiding Unexpected Problems And Costs
Regular gutter cleaning can save you from dealing with unexpected, costly issues down the line. Water damage from overflowing gutters or ice dams can cause a domino effect of problems – weakened roof structure, mold growth, or damage to interior ceilings and walls. Yikes, right?
Professional Tip: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Schedule regular gutter cleanings with a trusted professional service provider to clear your gutter system and inspect for potential problems before they snowball into more significant issues.
Your Home, Your Investment
You’ve invested a lot in your home. It’s a place of comfort, memories and a big part of your financial security. Like you would service your car to keep running smoothly, your house needs regular maintenance to maintain safety and structural integrity.
In our ever-changing Massachusetts weather, one of the best ways to safeguard your roof – and by extension, your home – is by keeping your gutters clean and clear. But remember to put safety first.
If you are in Newton, Wellesley, Dover, Hingham, Norwell, Needham, Cohasset, Scituate, and the surrounding communities and could use a hand with your gutter system, don’t hesitate to contact Flynn Roofing for a no-obligation, free estimate.