Gutters are an essential part of any home, as they help to divert water away from the foundation and structure. However, if they become clogged, they can become a hotbed for insects and cause high humidity levels in the house. Relative humidity above 50% is considered humid, and this can be caused by tree branches and shrubs that grow too close to the house, as well as a lack of routine cleanings and inspections of the gutter system. If your house has wood siding, a clogged gutter system can also cause water to overflow out of the gutter system and down the sides of the house, eventually weakening and rotting the wood.
The easiest way to avoid unnecessary and costly damage to the foundation and structure is to schedule routine cleanings and inspections of your gutter system. Ned Stevens recommends cleaning three gutters in the fall due to the amount of leaves that shed and fly around in the Atlanta autumn breeze. August is the wettest time of the year and fall is the top priority for gutter cleaning, so there is an overlap between late summer and early fall where Atlanta homeowners' gutters are at risk of being damaged by the combination of leaves and moisture. Gutter protectors, whether made of foam or any other material, can also cause serious problems with the gutter system.
As an owner, it's important to know what to look for when choosing a gutter cleaning company, as well as what questions to ask. In most cases, a basic warranty contains language that is directly related to keeping the gutter system clean to properly divert water from your home. Pitch, which is the slope of the gutter away from the house, should be set at an industry standard of half an inch per 10 feet of gutter.
