THE PURPOSE OF GUTTERING SYSTEMS
The purpose of guttering systems is to collect water (rain) from the roofing area and disperse the water away from your property. Properly configured downspouts (leaders, drain pipes) are very essential

A faulty guttering system can contribute to damage to Soffit & Fascia, Shingles, Building Foundations, Driveways, Walkways, Landscaping.

Guttering systems require maintenance to insure protection for your property. Make sure to have your gutters cleaned and maintained regularly to keep them free from debris, leaves, granules from shingles, birds nest. The extreme exposure to nature can also cause sealant failures. Snow & Ice can loosen fasteners and should be repaired immediately to prevent costly replacement.

ARC Construction not only can replace your existing gutters, but we also offer a maintenance program to keep them working flawlessly for years to come.

Seamless Gutters

There are many different gutter materials to choose from, including steel, aluminum, vinyl, copper. Many types of gutters (steel and vinyl in particular) are sold in 10’ lengths and require dozens of seams fastened with slip fittings, each one is a weak spot and a potential leak site. Another alternative well worth considering is the installation of seamless aluminum gutters. Our Seamless gutters are fabricated on-site by a ARC Construction’s professional gutter crew,

The term seamless gutters can be confusing because there are seams in the system. The seams are only at the corners and downspout outlets. These joints are fastened more securely and sealed for stability and leak resistance. The Seamless Gutter itself is continuous which makes them both strong and visually more appealing.

Helpful Info about Keeping Your Gutters Clean

Cleaning your gutters is probably not on the Top Ten Most Fun Things To Do List, but is necessary in maintaining your property. Best case scenario, this task can be done twice a year, in Spring and Fall. When it comes to cleaning your gutters, you should have it done professionally to ensure it is done properly and guaranteed.

Why? When you look at home or business, you may not realize how important your rain gutters are. Yes, obviously they direct rain away from the dwelling. But did you stop to think about why that is important? Water and moisture, if allowed to collect around your dwelling can do some very costly damage. Mold, mildew, leaking and damage to your foundation are all things that can occur if your gutters aren't working properly. Cleaning your gutters on a regular basis can alleviate these potentially costly repairs. Wind, rain, snow and foliage can all play a part in clogging your gutters. When gutters are clogged, they can overflow, causing the problems mentioned above.

How? While there are companies that do clean gutters, you can do this yourself. The way you can do this is to insert your hose into the downspout of the gutter. You may need to stuff rags in the opening so that the water will be forced upward. The waters force will unclog the elbows and gutter of the debris that was collecting. This sounds simple but definitely can be messy and somewhat of a headache. You can alleviate your headache and maintain your sanity by hiring a professional to do it.

Strainers and Guards-Are they worth it? If you've done any research on rain gutters, you've probably noticed that there are some gutter-cleaning accessories available in stores and online. Strainers and gutter guards were designed to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. They sound like a great idea; something to keep your gutters clean so that when you go to clean your gutters out, there is potentially less work involved. Where that may be true, strainers and guards, which are usually wire or mesh, can also keep water out of your gutters, which can effect the drainage of your system. Strainers and guards do work under certain situations however we must inspect your property to see if they are right for your architecture.

Common Gutter Problems

If your gutters are damaged, sagging, missing parts or improperly installed, it is unfortunate but likely exterior damage to your property is sure to follow. A gutter that is missing, or that drains too close to the dwelling will saturate the ground. These situations can produce a variety of problems:

A wet saturated ground near the dwelling can be easily and affordably prevented with a quality gutter system but left unchecked can:

• Creates a breeding ground for Mold and Mildew.

• It will eat away at foundations and basement walls.

• Leaks and cracks will develop and will worsen quickly in the winter months when the ground freezes and expands.

• Driveways and walkways will sink and rise, interior and exterior walls and floors can warp, bow or become wet, molded or stained.

• Unwanted slick Icy spots on walkways, driveways and parking lots.

Unfortunately, entire properties have been destroyed due to water damage.

If water overflows:
 

Over the back of a clogged gutter, damage to exterior and interior (via the cavity) walls can occur and damp can result. The gutter should be checked for debris and blockages and the fascia brackets also checked as they may have been damaged, causing the gutter to sag.

Over the front of a clogged gutter, this can be very annoying, both to walk under and because of the noise it can create. If this is happening you should be considering Gutter Guards. Protection for your gutters will keep leaves, pine needle, acorns and other debris out, and maintain the clear flow of water to the downspout.

If joints are leaking, the rubber seals inside the joint will probably need replacing, or sometimes the joint itself should be renewed.

If you are in need of a new gutter system or repairs to an existing one, please give us a call an we will provide you with inspection and free estimate.