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Gutters aren't the most prominent component of your roof, but they serve an important function. Quality systems direct rainwater straight to downspouts and prevent damage to your roof. But, over time, even high-quality gutters will start to rust due to age. Can you still fix or restore rusted gutters? Yes, you can, but there are a few factors to consider. Let's find out more in this post.

Sanding

Sanding is useful for gutters with only a few rusted areas. Roofers can sand them away to reveal new layers and use acrylic paint for added rust protection. If they find holes, roofers will fill them in with caulk after the sanding process.

Section Replacement

Rust occurs in areas where water has accumulated for a long time. It can create holes so large that sealing them with caulk won't be effective. Your roofers will propose replacing sections with huge holes to maintain your gutter's efficiency. 

There are many cons to doing this. First, the newly attached sections have weaker sealing joints and screws that cannot match the performance of a seamless gutter. Next, it is a waste of good materials because you'll have to remove the new section after the other areas have significantly rusted. Lastly, the older parts can contaminate the material you just installed.

Full Replacement

Professional roofers strongly recommend completely removing the old gutter system rather than repairing one area. A single rusted section can contaminate the others and has many benefits, such as having full warranties from manufacturers and certified installation from renowned roofers.

Minimizing Gutter Rusting

Here are a few ways to minimize the development of rust on your gutters.

Regular Cleaning

Regular roofing maintenance will remove the pollen, twigs, leaves, and other debris trapped on your roof and inside your gutters. Roofers will also repair any hidden gutter and downspout damage they find, such as sanding small patches of rust and applying sealant if they find any holes.

Roof and Gutter Material Compatibility

Metal roof and gutter materials will sometimes cause accelerated rust due to galvanic corrosion, which occurs when two incompatible types of metal could cause each other to rust by interacting through a conductive material like water or physically touching.

If you're worried about your metal roof and gutter rusting for this reason, you can ask your roofer or builder about them. You can also consult the building records of your property to know for sure or ask your local roofing company to check it for you.

Tattered Protective Coating

Quality gutter materials use protective acrylic coating to lengthen their lifespan and performance. Over time, this may come off and let water touch the gutter's metal surface and accelerate its rusting. Your roofer can sand the rust and reapply the coating if necessary.

You can count on SJ Winn Construction's top-notch roofing experts with decades of experience providing quality services in your neighborhood. We're a certified roofer of GAF and always aim to go above and beyond your expectations. Call us today to learn more about our services.

It's easy to forget about gutters. They look very inconspicuous. However, the good they do for your roof is unmistakable. They ensure heavy downpours head to downspouts and do not overflow on your asphalt shingles or soak the yard. Keep them in good shape with regular maintenance. Here are a few tips to go about it.

Physical Damage

Gutters endure bends, cracks, and deformities over time. Standing water on clogged systems may cause them to sag. You may also need to replace screws detached from the fascia to keep it in place. To ensure you have every gutter section covered, ask a professional gutter and roofer to check for any trails of hidden damage that need immediate repairs.

Extreme Weather Event Inspections

Hurricanes with extreme winds and rainfall will cause damage to your gutters. Twigs and leaves can clog downspouts and various sections. Your gutter guards could loosen and endure dents from hailstorms. Experts can clean and repair your damaged gutter sections and ensure it's ready for the next extreme weather event.

Natural Wear and Tear

Homes in temperate climates with infrequent storms and weather events are still at risk of damaged gutters left unchecked. A yearly inspection by roofers lets them assess the gutter's attachment, current integrity, blockage-prone areas, and more. Then, they would adjust and repair these areas at a smaller cost than an emergency gutter repair or replacement.

Winter Damage

Many roofers receive roof maintenance calls after winter because of the damage the season brings. Most roofs endure heavy moisture damage from melted snow and ice dams during the season's coldest days. Some properties can have hidden roof damage that snow can cause, requiring the experienced and capable eye of reputable local professionals.

Clear Signs That Your Gutters Need Replacement

Gutters can endure severe damage as it ages and endures several weather cycles. Here are some signs your gutters need replacement.

Leaks: Leaky gutters would run water on your siding, causing moisture damage to the siding and foundational walls. The water also saturates your yard, which can eventually introduce water damage to your basement if left unchecked.

Spouts: Spouts on your gutter indicate uncurling or lipping. The formation of spouts and sagging sections are simultaneous. The standing and overflowing water cause detrimental physical damage to the system. Your system may require a full replacement after a contractor evaluates it.

Regular Screw Detachment: Gutter screws that keep on detaching can be due to three things. First, the screws may have lost their threads and need replacement. Alternatively, a fascia with loose threads is the most common issue. Lastly, your gutters may have hidden clogs or have become inefficient in leading water off the roof due to the standing water it usually holds after a storm.

If you need quality roof inspections and gutter replacements, turn to the best in the industry. SJ Winn Construction is a reputable local roofing company that has and will continue to help our neighborhood have the best protection from the elements and the longest property lifespan. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Roofing lasts because of two things: excellent installation and top-tier roofing materials. High-quality shingles have excellent resistance and a full-fledged support system keeping their structure intact through the most challenging storms and extreme weather conditions. That said, if you live in an area prone to weather problems, you need reliable roofing for decades.

Top roofers also play a huge role in the quality of installation. For instance, certified or Master Elite ranking GAF roofers can install the most intricate and comprehensive systems from the manufacturer. With trust from GAF, the roofers can provide warranties that guarantee the performance of the roof system for up to five decades in most cases.

Cohesive and long-lasting systems made by GAF have advanced designs that use various extra roofing components, such as sheathing, ridge caps, starter strip shingles, and more. Here's what you get by working with a dependable roofer.

Complete Roofing System

Roofing systems work with various components acting as protection and support systems. The protection system is made up of asphalt shingle roof, gutters, and coating that adds algae or UV resistance. Next, the sheathing, rafters, leak barriers, underlayments, and ridge caps are the support systems that prolong and ensure the system will last for decades, protecting your home.

Warranties

Quality roofers and materials ensure the roof is well-installed and can last for decades. By hiring roofers trusted and certified by the manufacturer, they can confidently guarantee your roof's performance for a set number of years. For instance, a GAF Golden Pledge can have a 50-year warranty that ensures your roof will last and have no defects for 50 years facing the harshest weather and the presence of moisture

Quality Labor

Master Elite roofers, GAF's top contractors, have well-grounded practices, all essential equipment, and fully guaranteed installation results. They're trained by GAF to install their roofs in the best possible way. Only two percent of roofers across the US are Master Elite roofing companies, while only a small population of roofers nationwide are certified.

Style and Colors

Variety is crucial to improve your roof's aesthetics and functionality at the same time. Most roofing manufacturers with a high reputation, such as GAF, have a wide range of quality materials with outstanding variety and style. You can choose from various shades of asphalt shingles or have your contractor recommend the best one suitable for your home's existing color scheme.

Approachable and Genuinely Helpful

Reliable roofers care about their local community. They're genuinely helpful, approachable, and always willing to advise you on any areas that may need improvement based on their observations. They started their venture to fill the lack of a roofer in their neighborhood. With this in mind, their values and mission align with the intent of genuinely helping local houses like yours get top-tier roofing services.

If you need a quality roofer, SJ Winn Construction is a dependable GAF-certified roofing company with decades of experience helping the local neighborhood. We have always answered the call for a top-notch roofer that can achieve outstanding GAF roof installations in your area. Call us today for a roof inspection, maintenance, or repair at any time.

Gutters protect your property in many ways. This small, barely-noticeable system catches rain runoff from your roof and leads the water to your downspouts. Torrents of rainwater can destroy your gardens and yards by saturating them with water. Plus, too much water in the yard will cause high levels of basement humidity that cause damage to your basement.

If you don't maintain your gutters, you can experience these other issues.

Water Overflow

Overflowing water from the gutters can fall in front of your doorstep and yard or soak and damage your fascia, sheathing, and rafters due to water infiltration. These wooden components can feed mold that has grown from excess humidity and weaken their integrity due to rotting. 

Interior Drywall Damage

Leaking water from the attic will start dripping down your drywalls. It will cause damage to your drywalls by weakening them. 

The presence of moisture in your interiors increases the risk of mold growth, which will cause damage to drywalls further and will degrade your indoor air quality.

Insulation Replacement

Gutter overflow causes attic leaks that will cause water damage to sheathing, rafters, and insulation materials. Absorbent insulation will become wet and feed colonizing molds that cause damage. If you see tattered and torn insulation in the attic and between drywalls, replace them to maintain your property's energy efficiency.

Signs That You Have Gutter Problems

You may have gutter problems if you have encountered the following.

Clogged Gutters

Clear gutters ensure your roof won't suffer from leaks and extensive damage during intense rains. Clogged gutters are blocked by leaves and caked debris. You can hire gutter experts to use augurs to remove the dirt and debris inside. Furthermore, they can remove downspout sections and clear any clogs inside of them.

Sagging

Clogged gutters left unattended for a few months to a year will cause the water to weigh down and deform the section. Its loose hangers will pull out and start to dislodge the gutter section from its position. Your roofers can re-tighten the hangers, but the bent gutter can cause a difference in hanger spacing, making it difficult to repair.

Holes and Leaks

Gutter holes might look harmless because they won't cause overflowing, but they will saturate your yard with moisture and affect your basement's concrete foundations. Your roofers can use temporary solutions, such as gutter sealant to seal the holes. They can also check for leaky seams and seal them too. However, we strongly recommend replacing the entire system with seamless gutters for a long-term and leak-proof gutter system

Gutter Deformations

Heavy rain can deform gutters by weighing them down. On the other hand, they can suffer from wind damage during hurricanes with gale-force winds. You may need to replace your gutters if the system is beyond repair due to deformations, loose hangers, and other structural issues.

If you need top-quality roofing repairs with excellent quality and dependability, you can count on SJ Winn Construction's long-term experience and knowledge in servicing homes in your area. Call us today to set your appointment and start your roof repair, replacement, or installation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

156 Torrington Rd., Winsted,
Connecticut 06098

Phone: 860-379-8863
Email: sjwinnconstruction@gmail.com

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