The Basics of Gutters

Without gutters, rain and snow would hammer down with momentum on the ground surrounding your Chicago area home. The soil would be damaged as a result, and eventually, foundation trouble could occur.

Gutters Defined

Gutters are a vital part of your roofing system. They collect rain and drain it away from your home. They also protect your landscaping, and help you avoid the costly hassles of foundation damage.

Gutter Types

Sectional gutters come in 10-20 foot sections. They have seams between each section, which can pose the problem of leakage and tend to be a bit unsightly. In contrast, seamless gutters are continuous; they don’t pose the threat of leaking, and they give your home a better overall appearance because of the lack of seams.

Gutter Material Options

Aluminum is the most common gutter material used; however, steel, vinyl, and copper gutters are also popular choices. With varying price points and benefits, each material offers you a viable option for reliable gutter replacement. While rust resistant aluminum and vinyl being the most cost effective, they are not as durable as other material options. Galvanized gutters are durable and cost effective, but can tend to rust. Copper gutters offer homeowners a low maintenance, durable, rust-resistant option. Some of our favorite gutter material options include:

• Aluminum gutters by Mastic
• Steel gutters by Nordic

Gutter Warranties

Aluminum gutters by Mastic offer a 20-year warranty on their gutters, giving you peace of mind in their long-term performance and durability.

Gutter Sizes

The bigger the gutter, the more water it can accommodate. Look at your average rainfall per year and talk with a gutter professional about how wide your gutters should be. Gutters come in 4-inch to 8-inch widths, with 5-inch gutters being the standard size. Many homeowners prefer to have Mastic Seamless Aluminum 6-inch K-style gutters installed to accommodate more water.

Gutter Shapes

When choosing your gutter shape, consider the style and architecture of your home, and which gutter style will best complement your taste. Many homeowners enjoy popular K-style gutters, which are more decorative and provide a finished look for their home. The standard square edge gutter or box style gutter has sharp, square edges and is used primarily on commercial properties. Half-round shaped gutters are also available.

Gutter Guards

Twigs, leaves, and debris can accumulate in uncovered gutters and defeat the purpose of them. When debris gathers in a gutter, it can clog it and prevent rainwater from draining properly. If water doesn’t drain well, trouble can result: water overflows the gutters and pools beneath them, saturating the soil. When soil gets saturated, eventually it can negatively impact your foundation and cost you substantially in repairs.

Prevent Clogged Gutters

Gutter guards solve the problem of clogs by preventing them in the first place. Fitted securely on top of the gutter, gutter guards allow rain to get in, and keep the leaves and debris out of the gutters. With gutter guards in place, water flows freely, ensuring proper drainage away from your home. They are a wise investment, and also save you the hassle of getting up on a ladder and cleaning your gutters periodically.

Safeguard Your Home

Gutter guards help you prevent problems throughout the year by directing water away from your home. High quality gutter guards include KleanGutter and Shur Flo. Avoid winter problems like ice dams on your roof, icicles that can cause water damage, and ice pools on sidewalks due to melting snow. Protect your home year-round with well working gutters and secure gutter guards.

Gutter Cleaning

Twigs, leaves, and other debris can regularly clog gutters, particularly if you have large trees near your home. If you choose not to have gutter guards installed, it’s vital that you do regular maintenance on your gutters to ensure they function properly when storms come or snow melts. Keep your gutters free from clogs by securing a ladder and climbing up it to manually remove all debris. This can be a dangerous task, and although gutters need to be cleaned, many people don’t want to endanger themselves. Thankfully, you can avoid the hassles of cleaning if you have gutter guards installed.

Downspouts

Gutters are fastened to your roof eaves by long nails that hold the gutter to your roof laterally. Gutters slant slightly so water can run toward your downspout rather than standing in the gutters. It’s important that gutters are installed properly to keep water from standing in them. Since one gallon of water weighs over eight pounds, water needs to keep flowing to the downspouts to keep the weight of the water from damaging your gutters or roofing in any way.

Drainpipes

Gutters direct rainwater and snowmelt to the downspouts, and underground drain pipes direct water away from your home. Some homeowners opt to collect rain and recycle it to use for other purposes.

Gutter Installation Protects Your Home from Damage

Gutters direct water away from your home, protecting it from water damage. Avoid costly repairs due to:

• Foundation damage
• Leaks inside your home
• Rotten fascia and soffits
• Indoor flooding
• Mold and mildew growth on your home exterior

Benefits of Gutters and Gutter Guards

• Protect your home
• Enjoy low maintenance
• Avoid the problems leaky gutters cause
• Add to your home’s overall beauty
• Skip the dangers involved in cleaning

Gutters Help You Avoid Damage to Your Home

Don’t risk costly repairs from old, damaged, or uncovered gutters. Get replacement gutters and keep water from harming your home. Perhaps you’re planning to install new siding or roofing this year. If so, that’s a perfect time to have new gutters installed as well.

We Specialize in Gutters

At LeafCo Gutters, we understand the importance of protecting your Chicago home. That’s why we provide safe, easy gutter and gutter guard installation. We’ve been protecting homes since 1983. Our installers give great attention to details so you can have confidence in your new gutters for years to come. Contact us for a free consultation.