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While you may not often give your gutters any thought, they are constantly at work for you. The communities of St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, and Fort Myers, Florida, all average 51 inches of rain per year, 13 more inches than the average U.S. city’s rainfall. Tropical storms from June through August can drop as much as 23 inches of rain in 24 hours in our local area.
All of this climate is not very kind to your roof. This is why Classic Roofing & Construction recommends to our clients that they inspect their roofs periodically. The climate in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, and Fort Myers is often windy, which can lead to clogged gutters from debris.
The gutters on your home must be cleaned and maintained regularly. If they become clogged, rainwater will overflow, damaging your fascia and leak into your attic. The attic will become humid, facilitating mold growth.
Gutter Maintenance: Look For Tell-Tale Signs
Here are some signals your rain gutters aren’t working properly:
CLASSIC ROOFING – FAMILY OWNED AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
- Leaking gutters
- Sagging or hanging gutters
- Poor drainage
- Rusty gutters
These issues can start small and then grow into larger problems over time. However, if you keep your gutters in tip-top shape, they will protect the interior of your home, as well as your home’s siding, landscaping and foundation.
Rusty Rain Gutters
If your gutters are rusting, you likely have galvanized steel rain gutters. One of the many benefits of seamless aluminum gutters is that they do not rust. Rusting gutters are not just unsightly, they are not dispersing water correctly, away from your home.
Trying to repair galvanized steel gutters is a fool’s errand. They cannot be fixed with primer and paint. Once the rust has gained a foothold, it will return and continue to do damage. The best bet for your home and wallet is to contact a professional roofing and gutter company and have them equip your home with seamless aluminum gutters. New aluminum gutters will look better and will more effectively accommodate Florida’s downpours.
Leaking Gutters
If your seamless aluminum gutters are leaking, it’s likely they need cleaning and resealing. To tackle this kind of project, our team at Classic Roofing & Construction cleans, repairs and seals the gutter systems so that they will have as tight a seal as they did when they were first installed. You may also consider equipping your gutter system with gutter covers, which dramatically reduce the chances of any blockages in the future.
Overflowing and Clogged Gutters
If you witness your gutters overflowing during a rainstorm, your gutters are likely clogged with debris. The list of debris that can clog gutters is lengthy. Whatever can fit in the gutter system can clog it.
Improperly designed gutter systems can also be the cause of overflowing during heavy rainstorms. Too small, or poorly placed downspouts can cause gutter systems to back up and overflow. The location, quantity and size of downspouts will make or break the gutter systems design. Every time water turns a corner, it slows down and backs up. If your gutter systems design is faulty, no matter how clean your gutters are, you will have issues in the future.
Sagging or Loose Gutters
Gutters will sag when gutter spikes, fasteners that anchor the gutters to your home’s fascia, start to loosen. Wind and weather can cause the spikes’ grip on the fascia to back out of the holes where the spikes have been inserted. Sagging is the result.
Hidden hanger brackets can help, which is why they are the preferred method at Classic Roofing & Construction. Our team also uses longer fasteners than the industry standard, to ensure a strong and enduring placement. Installing a gutter hanger every two feet along the roofline will also help provide sufficient support during Florida’s strong downpours. Too much space between gutter hangers is another cause of sagging gutters.
Get Help With Florida Gutter Maintenance
Classic Roofing & Construction has been designing and installing gutter systems in Pinellas County for more than 20 years. If you are experiencing issues with your gutter system, our team of trained professionals can help you identify problems and correct them. Call us at 727-329-8023 or schedule a free consultation.
