Many of us living in areas that have a lot of rain are quite familiar with the term gutters
. But, how many of us really know what a gutter is. A gutter is a channel that runs along the roof; it collects and carries away rainwater.
Choosing the correct type for your home can make it look beautiful. There are different types of gutters to choose:
* Wood- these are a very common option. People who usually like a vintage look opt for these. Houses made of wooden logs look best with wooden gutters.
* Aluminum- these are economical to use as they are not very expensive. So in cases where they may have to be replaced, it does not cost a lot.
* Vinyl- these are the mostly recommended for people staying in areas where there is heavy rainfall; as these are rust proof.
* Steel- these channels are the longest lasting. They do not need much maintenance.
Due to factors like bad weather and rain, gutters tend to deteriorate. Like most things in your home they need to be maintained. If they are not, then it may lead expensive repair later.
As gutters are something that is not in our high-priority-list we usually neglect its maintenance. What are the few things we can do to maintain these? These points may help you:
* Leaves and other debris are common things that fall into these gutters. They may clog the gutter if not cleaned from time to time. The leaves and debris will stop the water from running freely through the channel.
* The use of gutter guards is advisable. But, it does not mean you do not have to clean these from time to time.
* Check to see that the screws holding the gutter to the wall is not rusting and loose, as a sudden strong gush of water may make it collapse.
* Due to wear and tear the gutters develop holes. Often just the part that is damaged can be replaced or in rare cases the entire channel needs replacement.
* Winter is the season during which these undergo most damage. Therefore, during spring a thorough check is advisable.
* During autumn a lot of leaves collect in the channels. It is necessary to clean the channels more than you would at other times.