Good Gutter Design Can Keep Basements Dry

Water can cause damage to homes but a well-designed gutters can be a solution.  How your gutter professional designs the flow of your gutters can mean the difference between having water in your basement or staying dry. Here’s a list of a few things that your gutter professional should always be looking at. Identify the slope of the property as it relates to the house Water flows downhill Strategically locate downspouts in places where surface water will drain away Minimize o…

What Causes Water To Spill Over Gutters?

Q:   I noticed this morning, during the moderately heavy rain we had, that the rain was falling over the gutter (north side of the house, over my porch/sidewalk) in sheets. The ground below quickly became a little lake. What would cause that? Are there more “design issues” on the front that need to be attended to? That might also require a larger gutter and downspout? Might the downspout or gutter itself be clogged, so that the water is just overflowing? Appreciate any ideas …

Can Gutters be repitched?

I receive at least one call a week from frustrated homeowners, house flippers or investors asking me to re-pitch poorly installed gutters.  Their thought is that it will be a cheap and cost effective way to make improperly installed gutters function well. They are mistaken. Here’s why: Gutters have a piece of flashing that is shaped like a hyper-extended letter L.  One flap goes under the shingles (or metal if you have a metal roof) and the other hangs down along the fascia b…

When is it time to replace my gutters?

Sometimes it makes sense to replace your gutters, and sometimes it doesn’t.  Just like in the medical field, you first need to diagnose the problem in order to prescribe the right medicine. Here’s a list of times you DO need to replace them and times that you DO NOT need to replace them: Overflow:  If your gutters are overflowing, there’s a good chance it’s time to replace your gutters.  But before rushing into a costly home improvement project, check to see that it’s not jus…

Gutter Protection: Do’s and Don’ts

Putting gutter protection on your home will save you a lot of unnecessary work. But before you jump into it, thinking that all gutter protection works equally, here’s a list of DO’s and DON’Ts for you. DO: Look for a gutter protection that will meet your needs. Work with a sales professional who offers different types of gutter protection. Consider your roof pitch and match it to a product that will work. Consider your climate.  Will your new gutter protection create more pro…

Not all Gutters are the same

Mind in the gutter? A Few Points to Ponder When You’re Considering Gutter Replacement. Read more about Energy Master’s better gutter solutions.