Getting Ready for Summer Storm Season, and What to Do If You Have Gutter Damage After a Storm

Summer Storm Season is Here!

If you live in the Southeast, then you know that summer storms can pop up with a little warning. These thunder boomers can dump a LOT of rain in a short period of time, and can often deliver a pretty significant wind shear punch, too. For that matter, we’re almost to the season where hurricanes can – and sometimes do – ease in from the Atlantic and from the Gulf Coast. All that being said, it’s definitely prime time to get your gutters ready for the summer storm season!

The Importance of Having Fully Functional Rain Gutters

Rain gutters may not be the most glamorous features of your home’s exterior, but they’re some of the most important, especially during summer storm season. Gutters serve the essential function of catching rain from your roof, funneling it through the downspouts, and sending it away from your home’s foundation. When your gutters are working properly, it’s a beautiful thing to behold. But when they’re not, problems can ensue in a hurry!

Summer Thunderstorm Gutter Preparation Tips

You may be saying to yourself at this point, “But I cleaned out my gutters after the leaves came down this past fall! They should still be good-to-go, right?” Well, not necessarily. In NC and VA, spring pollen from trees (like oaks and maples) can clog up your gutters in a hurry. Here are some good summer storm season gutter preparation tips you should follow:

• Clean out your gutters (again)

Even if you gave your gutters a fall or winter cleaning, they likely need another touch of maintenance again, especially if you don’t have any gutter guards installed. You’ll want to make sure to remove any remaining leaves, twigs, pollen, or other debris before the summer round of storms arrives.

• Consider having gutter guards installed

Getting tired of having to clean out your gutters with every change of seasons? You won’t have to, if you’ll go ahead and elect to have some gutter guards installed now. Skywalker Windows & Siding installs several great gutter guard products, and we’d be happy to take care of your needs anywhere within our NC or VA service areas! Gutter guards are a great investment, as they prevent debris from entering while still allowing water to flow through freely. With the right gutter guards in place, you’ll have much better peace of mind about your gutters being able to maintain peak performance, even in the height of a summer storm.

• Check your gutter hardware and fasteners

Heavy storms can also bring some high winds, so it’s best to make sure your gutters are ready to endure whatever punishment may be coming from the next summer thunderstorm. Pick a dry day to thoroughly inspect all of the hardware, fasteners, and brackets holding your gutters in place. If you notice any areas where the gutters seem wobbly or insecure, you’ll want to address those issues now before more stormy weather arrives.

• Don’t forget about the downspouts

Some owners are pretty good about checking and maintaining their roof gutters, but can tend to make the mistake of forgetting to check their downspouts. If a section of downspout becomes clogged or dislodged, that forces all of the collected rainwater to come out somewhere else – and that somewhere else can quickly become a trouble spot! This can lead to flooding in a lower level of your home, foundation damage, or both. Neither is advisable, and both can end up requiring some very costly repairs.

• What to Look for After a Storm Passes

Ok, let’s say you’ve taken all the precautionary measures listed above. Smart move! But a strong storm can still end up having a negative impact on your roof draining system, regardless of what preventative gutter maintenance you may have performed ahead of time.

So, how do you know when it may be time for gutter repairs or a gutter replacement? Sometimes, all you really need to do is look up. If bucketfuls of water are now pouring over the sides of your gutters when in rains, then it’s safe to say you have “a gutter issue.” In other cases, the signs can be somewhat more subtle. If you start to notice some growing effects of water erosion around your house, especially underneath the areas your gutters are supposed to be draining, then your gutters are probably in need of some attention. And a gutter that’s clearly broken or damaged can result in real structural damage to your roof, attic, walls, or to your home’s foundation. Some damage can even start to occur inside your home, as well.

If you’ve recently experienced a severe storm, you definitely want to check the status of your gutters. Have your gutters become leaky, started to pull away from your roof, begun to sag, or just appear to be sitting at a precarious angle that just doesn’t look right? If so, now is the best time to take action. Good gutter products are designed to last for many years, but even the best-made gutters will need replacing at some point.

Choose Skywalker for Your Gutter Installation, Gutter Replacement, and Gutter Repair Needs

We hope you’ll find these tips to be helpful as you’re preparing for summer storms and assessing the status of your current gutter situation. And if you’re in need of some professional help, Skywalker Windows & Siding is the name you can trust for gutter services in NC & VA! We specialize in the custom fabrication and installation of seamless gutters right onsite, and nobody backs their workmanship better than Skywalker! We’re happy to provide the best low-maintenance gutter guard solutions, too. In addition, we offer many other valuable home improvement services, as well.

Not sure how to pay for it? We can help with that, too. The Skywalker team is 100% committed to helping you find the best way to afford the roof, gutter, windows, siding, and other home improvement services you need, and we offer several attractive financing solutions. If you have a need anywhere in the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, or southern VA region, Skywalker is here to serve!

Ready to get started? You can reach out to us by calling at (336) 627-5596 for a faster response. We’d be glad to show you the Skywalker difference!