Twin Cities Homeowners Should Check Their Gutters Now to Avoid Problems This Winter

We find often when we talk to home owners in the Twin Cities area about exterior home improvements this time of year that gutters are far from their minds.  After all, gutters are for when it rains, right?  Well yes, but they serve an important function in the winter as well.  Here in the Twin Cities where heavy snow falls are normal, well-functioning gutters are very important.  The snow that falls on your roof will melt eventually, and your gutters need to be in good shape to carry that water away from your house.  So here are some problem areas to look for now before it gets much colder.

Gutter Problems to Look for Before Winter

Yes, it’s important to give your gutters a good inspection before the heavy spring rains hit, but now is also a time we recommend you evaluate yours.  Here are problem spots to look for:

• Sagging areas:  Walk around your house and inspect the gutters. They should be level and create a nice line.  If there are spots where they sag or droop, those are going to be areas where clogs can develop or water can pool up and freeze.  You may need some repairs to lift things back into a level configuration.
• Debris clogging the gutters and/or downspouts: If you didn’t clean out your gutters this fall when the leaves stopped coming down, put this job on the top of your to-do list.  Any debris left in your gutters can prevent water from flowing.  
• Functioning downspouts:  Your gutters are just part of the system; the downspouts are also important.  Make sure they fit well in the openings and there aren’t any gaps.  Also make sure you’ve got sufficient extenders so that water flows away from your house and doesn’t sit at the foundation.  Downspouts should also be flushed to make sure they aren’t clogged.
• Leaks:  Leaky gutters can result in water flowing down the sides of your house, or worse.  You can check for leaks by getting a helper to observe as you run water through using a garden house.  Leaky areas should be repaired as soon as possible.
• Separation from roof edge:  Look for areas where your gutters may have pulled away from the roof edge or fascia board, wherever they are mounted.  If gutters don’t fit flush with the edge, water will run behind them. And that can lead to all kinds of problems with other exterior components such as siding, windows, or doors.

If your gutters are showing signs of age or have problem areas, please contact us.  As a licensed exterior home improvement company serving the Twin Cities, we also install and repair gutters in addition to replacement windows.

 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.