August
26
Fall Is Coming. Is Your Roof Ready?
According to the calendar, it may technically still be summer, but you know that fall is coming. The days are now getting shorter, and evening temperatures are already starting to drop a bit. Labor Day (the unofficial start to the fall season) is now less than two weeks away! That being said, many folks’ attention has already turned toward anticipating the arrival of autumn.
So yes, the leaves are still green for now, but they won’t stay that way much longer. And since you’re already thinking about pumpkin spice and all things fall-related, now is also the perfect time to consider the state of your roof and your gutters. Why? Because if you wait until fall gets here to think about roof and gutter maintenance, it will already be too late!
Preparing Your Roof for Leaf Season
When your gutters and downspouts are flowing properly, they form an effective system for directing water off your roof and away from your home and its foundation. But once fall arrives, accumulated leaves, twigs, and debris can throw a wrench in that system. Clogged gutters result in many headaches and can lead to roof damage and subsequent infrastructural damage. Now is really a perfect time to survey the condition of your gutters and to make sure they’re still in good condition to serve your needs properly.
Do You Need a Gutter Replacement?
If you’re seeing any water leaking over, under, or around your gutters whenever it rains, then it’s time to consider replacing your gutters. The leaves haven’t even fallen yet, so if you’re seeing any issues with your gutters now, those issues will only get worse once leaf season officially arrives. Look for any signs of water erosion around your house and its foundation, too, especially in the areas underneath your gutters. And if you can see that your gutters have become visibly damaged, then it’s absolutely time to make plans for a gutter replacement!
Things to Consider When Planning for New Gutters
If it’s time for a gutter replacement, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is deciding which type of gutter material product you want to have installed. Vinyl is the cheapest option, but vinyl gutters also carry some significant drawbacks. Metal gutters are really better in terms of strength, stability, and performance, with seamless metal gutters being the best option. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
• Gutter Dimensions & Size Profile
Are your current gutters really designed to fit your roof? If your roof has a steep pitch, or if your area is prone to receiving heavy rains, then a 6” gutter might actually serve your needs better than a standard 5” gutter. You’ve got options when it comes to gutter profiles, too. You might prefer the distinctive look and proven performance of a half-round gutter, or you can go with a decorative K-style gutter profile that’s built to handle even more water volume.
• Gutter Material Choices
The gutter material you choose is another crucial consideration. Copper is seen as the “gold standard” for both metal roofs and metal gutters; a copper solution can easily last you for a lifetime. But copper isn’t cheap, and it requires specialized labor for installation. Aluminum and galvanized steel are two other very good metal choices. Each is more affordable than copper, and each comes in a wide range of colors and finishes.
• Don’t Forget About Your Fascia & Soffit
Even if you’re not familiar with these terms, you’ve probably seen these items on your house. Fascia is the vertical board that runs along the lower edge of your roof. Fascia provides structural support, and it’s also the surface upon which most gutters are mounted. The Soffit is the horizontal surface underneath your roof overhang. Among other things, a soffit is designed to provide attic and roof ventilation by including built-in slits or vents. If you’re planning a gutter installation, this is also a good time to check the condition of your fascia & soffit. If any needs replacing, that will need to be taken care of before any new gutters are installed.
• What About Your Roof Itself?
While you’re checking out your gutters, it makes good sense to go ahead and check out your roof, too. Depending upon the age and condition of your current roof, the best solution could be to plan a roof replacement and new gutter installation as a combination project. It will actually save you some money to combine these projects together rather than tackling them as separate installs. And making sure your whole roof system is prepared to serve you well for decades brings more peace of mind for a homeowner.
Skywalker Provides Comprehensive Roof System Solutions – Including Gutters!
You already know that Skywalker Roofing provides roof replacements and new roof installations – it’s right there in our name! But we provide many other valuable roofing services, too, including on-site seamless gutter fabrication, gutter installation, gutter replacement, and gutter guard installation services.
Basically, if you have any sort of roofing need or would benefit from one of our additional home improvement services, Skywalker has you covered! Nobody else in NC or VA provides better workmanship, and nobody else takes better care of their customers, either. Skywalker Roofing is proud to be the preferred home & commercial roofing provider for the NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, Mooresville & Lake Norman area, and southern Virginia.
You can connect with us online, or for an even faster response, you can simply give us a call today at +1 (336) 627-5596. Get in touch now and experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!
