subject: Roofing Service - The Importance Of Maintaining a Good Guttering And Drainage System [print this page] Roofing Service - The Importance Of Maintaining a Good Guttering And Drainage System
It's true that the roof is, perhaps, by far one of the most important parts of a house. It not only provides a covering over your dwelling, but it also keeps out the elements and preserves what is underneath it. So, it is easy to see why good maintenance and proper upkeep is essential and will save you a lot of money on down the road.
One of the most important aspects of roofing service is making sure the guttering and drainage system is working properly. When water collects on the roof and cannot drain as it should, it runs off the house and settles at the foundation. Good roof drainage is probably more important to the foundation of the house than the roof itself. This is because water that runs off onto the foundation is almost always detrimental to the preservation of the house over a long period of time. It seeps down into crawl spaces, vaporizing and rotting sills and floors. It can even seep into the basement, causing yet another round of problems to occur.
Ninety percent of the damage to a house caused by moisture begins in a crawl space, so it is very important to drain water from roofs to keep it away from the foundation. The following systems are good for helping you properly maintain both your roof and gutters.
A good method of collecting unwanted water on the roof is through use of a guttering system. The most important thing about the system is where it dumps the water. Splash blocks at downspouts are minimal and often ineffective since they release water too close to foundations. Water should not be released within three feet of the foundation or even further if possible.
Another system that works well is a wide overhang with no gutters at all. The width of this overhang is usually approximately three feet or more. A treated (gravel) ground surface where drainage water strikes the ground is recommended. This is acceptable because it will keep run-off water from penetrating the foundation.
In turn, the ground must slope away from the structure on all four sides at a minimum of two percent slope so water is carried away from the foundation.
No matter which drainage system you choose, remember that having one that works properly is crucial to minimizing the damage not only to your roof, but also to the foundation of your property. Check with your roofing contractor to determine which system is right for you.
Gutters should be serviced by a professional at least once a year. One great way to minimize the cost of hiring someone to clean and maintain your gutters is to keep them clean. The more you are able to do on your end, the less you will pay to have someone take care of it for you.
Maintaining your gutters is a very important step toward preserving your roof and is essential to proper roofing service. Take good care of your roof and it will last you for a long time.
