You want new gutters, but is your home prepared? While it might seem strange that you need to prepare your home for new gutters, you want your gutters and gutter guards to have the best possible foundation for success. This means that your roof and the areas surrounding it such as your fascia boards must be in excellent condition. How can you tell if your home is ready for new gutters? 

Your Roof Has No Problems

You might want to hold off on roof repairs and replacement, but there is no time like gutter repair time to replace or repair your roof. That’s because your roof is the beginning of your home water system, and if it has leaks the whole system can fail. A roof with an uneven slope can cause water to pool, damaging the shingles and what lies underneath. A roof with loose, cracked, or missing shingles or spaces where it meets a chimney or other structures can have problems with leaking as well, since the water will move right into those spaces and potentially into your home, causing mold and water damage. 

Repair your roof before you add your new gutters and let your gutters do their job well, draining water from the roof to the downspout. 

Your Fascia Are Ready to Go 

According to Home Guides, “quality gutter installation usually makes use of fascia gutter brackets. These should be attached through fascia into rafter tails, rather than to just the fascia, for a secure and long-lasting installation.” 

However, you can’t easily attach your gutter brackets to fascia that are rotten. Before you start your installation, check the fascia yourself or ensure that your gutter contractor has checked them as well. Your gutters need a strong foundation, and they shouldn’t be placed on a rotting surface. This Old House recommends that you “check the fascia for rot — and make repairs if necessary — before installing the gutters.” 

You Have Space for Water in Your Garden

When you’re installing new gutters, you also need to consider where the water will go in the end. Some people have their gutters connected to the sewer system. Other gutters move the water into a rain barrel or rain garden. Still others send the water off the side of the house into the grass. Make sure that the spaces around your home are prepared for an inflow of water if you’re changing the water you orient your downspouts, or you could end up with a wet and muddy garden.

Clean and Check Your Siding

While this is not strictly necessary for your gutter integrity, when you add new gutters it’s an excellent opportunity to check your siding. If your old gutters have been leaking, this could damage your siding, which could be rotting. Take a close look around the area where the siding meets the foundation, since water can pool in that area. Also, look closely at the areas around windows and doors. Quality gutters and gutter covers protect your siding and your foundation, so it’s best to ensure that you are starting out with sound, dry siding. 

At Harry Helmet, we’re here to help you install gutters, gutter covers, and gutter heating systems to make your home work better. If you’re curious about how seamless gutters and gutter guards work, talk with us. Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud