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Gutter Facts: How to Avoid Water Damage
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I
just had my gutters cleaned. Why do I still see the
water running over my gutters? |
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A: |
There are several
possibilities.
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During the heaviest downpours it may be O.K. to
have the gutters overfill briefly. It could just be
the results of extreme weather. |
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Your downspouts
could be clogged or blocked. |
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Your gutter could be
improperly installed, undersized or inadequately
graded to remove the water rapidly enough. |
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A Nick Rivers gutter
expert can test your drainage speed and make
recommendations. |
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| Q:
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Is there a
hidden agenda here? I have had gutter contractors come
out before that try to "upsell" me with very expensive
roofing projects or gutter upgrades. |
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A: |
Absolutely not.
Nick Rivers is strictly a gutter cleaning and
maintenance firm. In fact, the gutter covers we
recommend are quite inexpensive. We think most $3,000
gutter replacement projects are a waste—money
better spent on a family vacation. Please,
if you really want gutter covers, let us provide you
with an excellent solution for less than half their
price. Just send us a postcard from
Hawaii. |
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| Q:
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I have gutter covers but
my gutters seem to be clogged up. Is that normal? |
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A: |
Unfortunately, this is
normal and expected. Despite claims, no gutter
protection system that we know of is completely
maintenance free. Some of the most expensive systems
seem to be the most difficult to fix once a blockage
occurs. Even if large leaves are kept out, smaller
debris works its way in, eventually clogging your
gutters and downspouts. |
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| Q:
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I see staining on my
gutters and fascia. Does this suggest a problem? |
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A: |
Mold, water stains or
discoloration of areas around gutters may indicate a
need for cleaning or repair. These stains may be nothing
or might be the sign of more serious problems—some
leading to flooding and home damage. |
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| Q:
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My basement flooded. Can
poor gutter drainage really be the cause? |
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A: |
It's a good place to start
since gutter drainage problems are the easiest to see
and often the cheapest to solve. First inspect your
gutter downspouts. Make certain that spouts drain well
away from the foundation of your home. Also make sure
that your yard is properly graded everywhere but
especially around the downspouts so that water drains
well away from your foundation. |
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| Q:
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Am I required to take the
day off to be home while you do your gutter work? |
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A:
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No you are not required to
be at home. We ask that you be available by phone in
case questions or billing adjustments arise. It is often
helpful if you provide day, evening, and mobile phone
numbers. |
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| Q:
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How often should I have my
gutters cleaned? |
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A:
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Generally, gutters should
be cleaned twice a year. This depends, of course,
on the amount of debris that accumulates. Gutter
clogging debris doesn't just fall in the Fall. Some
trees (especial oaks) drop their dead leaves at first
bud in early spring and varieties of evergreens shed
throughout the year. The range of seasonal seeds,
pollens, and assorted detritus vary greatly from year to
year. |
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Can Clogged Gutters Really Damage My
House?
Not always but a clogged gutter can
certainly cause damage to your roof, fascia,
foundation, and even your basement.
Since we receive a lot of rain in Maryland
it is important that we get moisture away
from your house as much as possible. We
don't think an occasionally overflowing
gutter is worth losing sleep over. This can
even be normal during an extreme downpour.
But if this is a common occurrence or if you
see signs of water damage anywhere in your
home, it's best to consult with an expert. |
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To make an appointment call 443-336-7278. Business Hours: 7am-7pm
Now serving: Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County Md.
Elkridge, Ellicott City, Columbia, Catonsville, Owings Mills, Severn, Savage,
Glen Burnie, Other Maryland locations coming soon.
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