When it comes to setting up your home’s ongoing maintenance plan, there’s one step you can take to protect your property from an array of expensive damage: properly installed rain gutters.
These silent heroes of home maintenance work in stealth to protect your home from absorbing water directly, in turn shielding your roof, structure and landscaping from the long-term dangers of water damage and soil erosion.
The best part of rain gutters is how little you’ll have to think about them once they’re installed. Apart from minor routine gutter maintenance and gutter cleaning, which can be done by professionals such as those at ReadyClean Exterior Cleaning Services, the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to gutter protection is how you plan to install them.
If you’re upgrading your gutter system or constructing a new system, you should consider installing a gutter apron under the shingles and above the roof decking. Utilizing gutter aprons is an easy step you can take to further protect your property long-term.
How Gutter Aprons Work
Gutter aprons serve the same purpose as drip edges, but depending to the shape of your roof, gutter aprons might be a more effective choice. Like drip edges, they direct water away from problem areas of your home and into the gutters. However, gutter aprons have an L-shape while drip edges are shaped like a T.
When you purchase your gutter aprons, they’ll come in metal strips with aluminum and steel sheets. You can order them in different colors to match your home such as black, white, brown and bronze. They are 2-4 inches thick and up to 10 feet long.
Gutter aprons are most easily installed during the roof’s construction, because one edge of the L-shape will need to lie under the shingles. The other half of the L faces downwards, adding a layer of protection between water and your building and redirecting excess liquid downward into the gutters.
As effective as gutters are on their own, there is always a risk of water splashing over the gutter and against your home. Gutter aprons will be that last line of defense.
Why Gutter Aprons are Important
Gutter aprons strengthen your gutters ability to protect your property, extend the life of your gutter system and help keep things tidy between gutter cleanings. Easy to install and maintain, it’s a simple way to elevate your existing draining system.
Gutter aprons also support your shingles and secure roof decks and gaps, further aiding in your gutter’s defense against wood rot. With that extra layer of protection, your home is even better guarded against insects, pests, and small animals who might otherwise be able to enter your attic through gaps in your gutter system.
Plus, gutter aprons are cost-effective. They’re inexpensive to purchase and install, and will save you money in the long run by preventing expensive damage.
How to Maintain Your Gutters For Ongoing Protection
Gutter aprons are a simple yet powerful tool you should integrate into your gutter system during installation to further redirect water away from your home, but once your gutter system is installed, it’s time to think about maintenance. Luckily, keeping your gutters in working condition is relatively simple: invest in seasonal gutter cleanings. Hiring a team to clean those gutters just four times a year can prevent unwanted build-up.
If gutter build-up gets out of control, you could find yourself dealing with rot, pests and water damage to the foundation of your home. This type of damage can cost over $10,000, so it’s best to get ahead of the problem by cleaning your gutters each season.
If you’re looking for a local partner to assist with seasonal gutter cleaning services, we would be happy to provide you with a free estimate and answer any questions you may have. If you’d like to take gutter maintenance a step further, we also offer gutter repairs with our Gutter Protection program.
Contact us today to get started!
