Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts

Roofs, Gutters and Downspouts

When was the last time you had your roof, gutters and downspouts inspected?

Not maintaining these items can cause considerable damage to the foundation and other components of your home.

Since roofing, gutters and downspouts are not prominent visually and are difficult to access, they are often overlooked until they have already been damaged and have become a problem. A working gutter system is an important component of your structure exterior. Gutters and downspouts should work with the roofing design to direct the rainwater away from the structure, which helps to protect against the possibilities of water damage, icing, or overflows. Gutters can be damaged during rain, snowstorms or heavy wind and torn away from the sides of structures.

Adding a basic roof, gutter, and downspout inspection to your annual structural maintenance routine, will help identify any problem areas early on and can help save you money later.

Our Inspectors will conduct routine maintenance such as scooping leaves and major debris out of the gutter. (Please do not attempt this on your own, enlist the services of a professional).
The inspector will use a hose to flush out small debris from the gutters while watching for leaks on the underside, water should exit freely through the downspout.
If the water is not flowing freely, then the inspector will unclog the downspout. The inspector may have to remove the downspout if it is connected to an underground pipe.

The inspector will check for standing or extremely slow-moving water in the gutter. If water fails to flow toward the downspout efficiently, the slope is inadequate. Spikes or hangers require relocation up or down to create a slight slope toward the downspout.
The inspector will look for space between the gutter, soffit, walls or facia. The supports or hangers can work themselves loose over time and may require replacement or repair so the gutter is securely attached to the roof structure.
The inspector will identify seams, ends or other parts of the gutter where sealant is missing or leaks are observed. Leaks along the seams or end caps are repaired by removing old sealant and applying new material. Holes in the body of the fiberglass or aluminum require more extensive repairs or replacement of the section.