Gutter-Check: Home Maintenance Tips for Winter

Between rain, snow, wind, freezing temperatures, and strings of holiday lights, your gutters have to withstand a lot. Are yours holding up?

Defending Against the Elements

Your roof gutter system is one of your home's best friends. Gutters offer protection from the elements. According to the Insurance Information Institute, losses from catastrophic winter storms average about $1.1 billion a year, and nearly 22% of all homeowners' insurance claims are the result of water or ice damage.

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"Now's the time to get gutters on your house, if you haven't already," says Tim O'Brien, owner of Gutter Brothers in Reno, Nevada. "There's a lot of heavy weather going on all over the country now, with snow run-off. Gutters protect a home from water erosion, cement damage, and water pooling in surrounding areas. They also prevent water stains."

Are Your Gutters in the Gutter?

If your home already has a gutter, be sure to give it a check up before the rainy season. But getting up on your roof is dangerous, so if you can't be 100% sure of a safe peek, call a professional. Meanwhile, O'Brien suggests running a hose onto the roof, then watching downspouts to make sure water is flowing out.

If not, water may be collecting inside, due to leaves or other obstructions. "Snow can also bend gutters, or when water collects, it may turn to ice, which could break the gutter," he says. If you notice a bend or crack, if water leaks anywhere other than through the downspout, or if no water comes out at all, call a professional.

New seamless aluminum gutters typically cost between $4 and $6 a foot. Also, check that all gutters are hanging properly - removing holiday lights can sometimes loosen your roof's gutters. This little bit of home maintenance will ensure that you make it through this winter safe and dry.

Source:
Insurance Information Institute