8 Gutter Maintenance Mistakes Made by Amarillo Homeowners

Just because you want to do the right thing doesn’t always mean you do it. Gutter maintenance is no different, especially here in Amarillo where high winds, intense sun, and sudden storms stress your system. Many homeowners overlook the specific challenges of the Texas Panhandle and make the following maintenance mistakes.

We have seen gutter guards at the edge of the roof when they should be below the roofline. Position the guard below the runoff point to prevent water from spilling out of your gutter system and on the ground. This is especially true here in Amarillo, TX during the sudden hard rains where runoff happens quickly and can overflow an incorrectly placed gutter guard.

You must also pitch the gutter guard at a 1-2 inch angle for every 40 linear feet toward the downspouts. A level gutter guard will pool large amounts of water because it fills from a level point and overflows. In Amarillo, this buildup can be magnified with debris being blown into your gutters by high winds or create ice dams in the winter and damage your system.

Hangers give the gutter system support and stability. Positioning them too closely does little to increase their value and can even cause the gutters to pull away from the home, thanks to Amarillo’s robust Texas Panhandle winds. Hangers should be properly placed to keep gutters from sagging while also using heavy-duty anchors that can endure the wind.

Sectional gutter systems often have many seams that water leaks through during downpours.  Seamless continuous gutters greatly reduce the number of possible leak points with a much more durable guttering system that is better able to withstand hail impacts and the expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations.

Due to the amount of dirt and debris that can come into your gutter system on windy days, dust storms, and from local cottonwood and elm trees in Amarillo, you should be cleaning them out at least twice per year. Additionally, you can also install leaf guards (specifically, we recommend durable micromesh systems) to keep out larger debris and the notorious fine dust.

Check the seams, which are soldered together, for any holes, rust, or cracks. The usual water spots to look for are at the downspout, elbows, or endcaps. Not paying attention to these leaks can lead to damage of plants or tile, bug problems, or other pooling symptoms. Here in Amarillo, leaks left unchecked can also pool around the foundation of your home, a condition which may affect the foundation over time in our semi-arid area with high clay content. Also, inspect for dents or other damage from hailstorms that Amarillo sees quite often.

When homeowners are working on the gutter, they sometimes position a ladder against the gutter. Putting this weight onto the gutter can cause bending, and it can also happen when you are positioning yourself on a ladder while pushing your weight on the gutter. Note that Amarillo’s intense summer heat also warps aluminum gutters more than most metals, so avoid placing ladders on gutters when you can in the hot summer months.

If you are going to be cleaning your gutters out yourself, have a spotter on the ground to make sure the ladder you’re on doesn’t slip or fall over. Also, if you don’t use a ladder frequently, inspect it for any loose or broken parts. When on the ladder, don’t overreach or extend yourself too far, as you can lose your balance and fall. Instead, just move the ladder. In Amarillo, check the local weather and don’t work on your gutters on windy days. Amarillo and the Panhandle see a lot of windy days, and it makes ladders much more unstable.

For Gutter maintenance in the Amarillo area, call us. Our team has the experience to help you!

The post 8 Gutter Maintenance Mistakes Made by Amarillo Homeowners first appeared on New Vision Exterior Solutions.

The post 8 Gutter Maintenance Mistakes Made by Amarillo Homeowners appeared first on New Vision Exterior Solutions.