Gutters seem simple enough, but they are in fact pretty intricate.  They have many parts that all serve a specific purpose. If just one part of your gutter is faulty, your home is at risk of water damage.  While cleaning out your gutters gives you a chance to examine your gutters, if you don’t know exactly what to look for, you may miss some red flags.  If you are in Middlesex or Monmouth counties and need gutter cleaning services, give us a call today!

Every Part is Important

Each and every piece of your gutter is important to maintain the integrity of the entire system.  Just as a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link, a gutter system is only effective if the whole system remains intact. There are certain materials that can be used to make seamless gutters. These gutters are custom fitted right onto your home the day of installation. This type of gutter doesn’t have seams or sections which eliminates many weak points.  There is much less chance of having any leaking with limited amounts of joints and seams.

Each part of any gutter system serves a specific purpose.  Put all together, the goal of gutters is to collect, move, and eliminate water damage to your home. Neglecting the care and maintenance of your gutters puts your home and landscape at risk.  One small leak can set off a chain reaction that can ultimately result in major damage to your home such as cracks in your foundation.

End Cap

This is the part that closes off an end of any gutter trough in order to keep water in the gutter. In order to be effective, this portion is shaped exactly the same as your gutter and is made of the same material.

Connector

The item that joins each section of gutter together is very important.  Any rusting, denting, or damage done to these parts can cause immediate gutter failure.  It is important whenever performing gutter cleaning in South River to ensure that all the connections are damage free and fully intact.

Gutter Hanger / Bracket

These are very important as these are what keeps your gutter attached to your house.  If one of these breaks, your gutter could begin to pull away from your roof rendering your gutters useless.  Similarly, a downspout strap is what holds the downspout to the wall.

Drop Outlet / Gutter Drop

This portion of the gutter is where the trough connects to and meets the downspout.  This allows the water to remain contained in the gutter protecting your home and landscape.

Downspout

The vertical portion of the gutter system that effectively directs water away from your roof and to the ground. An important part of gutter cleaning in Monroe is to ensure that water flows freely through the downspout upon completion of the job.

Ledge Jumper

If your home has a ledge or portion that sticks out farther than other sections of your home, your gutter has a ledge jumper.  It allows the gutter to continue vertically over this pitch change without putting stress on the downspout.

Elbow

This item is used whenever the downspout needs to change direction.  One example of an elbow can be found at the bottom of the downspout to direct the flow of water away from your foundation instead of directly down in front of it.

Splash Block

This piece sits below the downspout and helps to eliminate damage to your landscape from erosion.  The water leaving the downspout can cause erosion because of splashing and flow depending on the force of the water.

Yearly Inspections Keep Your Gutters in Top Shape

Gutters and their maintenance often get overlooked by homeowners.  This can be dangerous as non-functional gutters can directly impact the security of your home. We understand that cleaning out your gutters can seem simple enough. However, to do it thoroughly and correctly, it does require a lot of attention.  It is not simply just removing clumps of leaves from your gutters.  Gutter cleaning in Middlesex County should include an inspection of each piece of your gutter.  If your gutters are in need of a cleaning as so many are this time of year, call us today to get on the schedule! 

Thanks for reading!  Come back next month for more in-depth information on just some of the services we provide!

Gutters are an element of your home that receive little to no attention.  From the style to the installation and maintenance, gutters are a very important overlooked aspect of your home. Generally speaking, little is known by the average homeowner how the style of gutter impacts their longevity and effectiveness.

Gutters can be constructed of a variety of materials. There are five common gutter materials we’ll cover here.   Each has its own set of good aspects and bad.  Ranging from aluminum to zinc, prices and durability vary widely.

Aluminum

There is a range withing aluminum gutters depending on their thickness.  The thinner the gutter, the less expensive it is.  Less expensive isn’t always worth the price, however.  No matter your climate or budget, aluminum most likely has a solution that works.  It is a very common gutter material.  It resists rust, it comes in a variety of colors and can also be painted, and typically lasts up to 25 years.  The biggest downfall of aluminum is that it is subject to denting and bending which can completely negate the goal of the gutter.  This is a popular choice for DIY projects and can be found in most home improvement stores.

Copper

If aluminum is the most common material, copper is one of the least.  This is due highly to the price tag.  They can commonly cost up to five times what other gutters may cost.  If you can afford it though, copper is one of the most durable materials you can find to build a gutter.  While copper doesn’t rust, it does develop a lovely patina so there is no need to paint or alter the gutters in any way.  It can withstand extreme temperatures and may last up to 100 years!  Copper is a material that requires professional installation and welding which adds to its cost.

Steel

This is a very sturdy material in some respects, but one of the biggest drawbacks of steel gutters is their likelihood to rust.  When selecting steel gutters, you may have an option of galvanized or stainless. Stainless steel gutters will resist rust better that galvanized, but also cost a lot more.  Steel, like aluminum, can be modified with pain making them very customizable.  However, due to the weight, steel gutters are not right for every home or building.  They also require a professional to install them, but do hold up in weather conditions.  If you do opt for steel gutters, they come with an additional cost as well.  Due to their susceptibility of rusting, it is very important to have guards installed on them to avoid large masses of wet leaves.  No matter how often you have gutter cleaning in Ocean County done whether you call us to do it or you do it yourself, soggy leaves and debris hasten the rusting process.  So, unless you want to clean your gutters monthly or even more, we don’t recommend steel gutters.

Vinyl

One of the least expensive options, vinyl is a popular choice for people who want to install their own gutters. Vinyl is very lightweight, can be customized with color, and won’t corrode or rust.  The biggest drawback of vinyl as a material for gutters is that it cannot withstand extreme heat or cold.  In those conditions, vinyl gutters will crack causing leaks which easily lead to damage to your home. Also, leaning a ladder up against them can crack this material easily. So, when you have vinyl gutters, it may be a good idea to call us to take care of your gutter cleaning in Monmouth County.

Zinc

One of the rarest gutter materials, zinc is typically only used or found on high-end or historic homes and buildings.  One of the best qualities of using zinc is that they will last you almost a lifetime.  Zinc doesn’t rust, fade, or warp. That being said, salty air does tend to affect this material so it isn’t recommended for use in those areas. Therefore, you won’t find it in many places in Monmouth or Ocean County.  As far as looks, zinc, like copper, will develop a beautiful patina over time. For some people this is a plus.  For others, maybe not so much.

When it comes to gutter materials, there is a wide range. No matter what your budget, style preferences, or climate, there is a solution.  If you would like to discuss your gutters or need a professional inspection to check for damages, give us a call today!  We’ll treat your home as if was our own.

When it comes to gutter cleaning in Ocean County, gutter cleaning in Monmouth County, and gutter installation, TDM is there for you.

Be sure to check back next month when we discuss the different shapes of gutters!

Gutters are one part of the home that homeowners like to neglect.  Even though gutters are a vital part of the security team for your home, people tend to forget all about them.  This can be a dangerous mindset.  If gutters were not that important, they would not be installed on almost every home.  Their job is a crucial one.  They carry water off of your roof, away from your home and your foundation.  The reason it is so important to keep your gutters clean is because a blocked gutter is an ineffective one.  And an ineffective gutter puts your home at risk of some major damage.

Roof Damage

When gutters are not maintained well, they can become blocked.  Things such as leaves and other tree castoffs, asphalt debris from shingles, and general dirt, mold, and mildew can all contribute to clogged gutters.  If the gutters get so dirty that water can no longer flow freely, the water will reach heights in the trough that it shouldn’t.  When water can’t be removed, the constant exposure to moisture can quickly lead to rotting and leaks. 

Secondly, the extra weight of the water and the debris in the gutters can cause damage to soffits and fascia.  The damage that occurs with this is normally cracks and holes.  This can obviously allow water to get into your home and cause major water damage.

One last way that unclean gutters that don’t remove water from your roof is early failure of your shingles.  Any shingles that are closest to your gutters that are allowing water to sit in the troughs are going to get water logged.  This will cause deterioration of the shingle whose job it is to protect your roof. When those shingles fail, leaks are right around the corner.

Foundation Damage

Besides protecting your roof and home from leaks and water damage, gutters also protect your foundation.  By directing water into your downspouts, it removes a majority of the water to an area away from your foundation.  The reason for this is because pooling water around your foundation can cause shifting.  The result of this shifting can be cracks in your foundation.  The most serious type of crack in our foundation is a horizontal crack.  If you haven’t had your gutters cleaned in a while, you might want to take a look at your foundation and make sure it’s free of any damage.

Landscape Erosion

This is certainly a case of too much of a good thing. As gutters fill up with castoff and water is unable to flow through the system, the rain water flows over the outer edge.  This causes a waterfall that pounds onto your landscape.  From washing away a protective layer of mulch from your garden to flooding of your lawn and gardens, clogged gutters can really wreak havoc on your curb appeal.   

This is Just the Beginning

This article has only just skimmed the surface of damages your home can sustain if you neglect to clean your gutters.  Be sure the check back because we’ll cover some other risk factors of not having your gutters cleaned.  No matter if you need gutter cleaning in East Brunswick or Freehold, we can help you keep your gutters in tip-top shape. By giving your gutters the care they need, you are protecting your home from major damages.  If gutters weren’t important, homes wouldn’t have them. Let us help you care for your home by scheduling your gutter cleaning today!