4 Ways Hot Weather Can Affect Your Gutters
We can’t deny that summer has arrived around here! Hot, long days are here, and they will be here a while. Summertime is the best time to do work on the exterior of your home, mainly because the weather is more reliably dry. However, summertime heat can take its toll on your home and its gutters. Homeowners need to be aware of issues that arise when gutters are exposed to extreme heat. At Gutterworks, we’ve seen it all! Below, we’ll share our expertise with you and describe four ways hot weather can affect your gutters.
1) Heat can warp your gutters
Gutters are most commonly made of metal - mainly aluminum. When extreme heat beats down on your roof and gutters, that metal absorbs the heat and expands. If a gutter was composed of one piece of aluminum, this might not be an issue, but gutters contain seams and joints, so when the materials expand, warping can and does frequently occur. Once the heat abates, the metal retracts, leaving gaping holes possible or stretching away from your roof.
One way to combat any problems with gutters warping at the seams is to invest in gutters that have minimal seams in the first place! Seamless gutters might be your answer to summertime heat woes. Seamless gutters are made of a single length of metal and have fewer areas of weakness. When they expand and contract, they won’t separate, because they are made of one piece. At Gutterworks, we can help you find a gutter system that works best for your home. When it’s close to the time for you to replace yours, give us a call at (304)848-9870.
2) UV rays can degrade the condition of your gutters
UV isn’t just damaging to your skin! Your roof is vulnerable to UV radiation, but what you may not know is that UV rays can degrade the material your gutters are made of, too. You may have noticed the discoloration over time of your home’s fixtures in areas that get more sun exposure. It’s much like a sunburn, and while it may seem like only a cosmetic problem, it can be much more. UV radiation can cause your gutters to sag or separate from your roof. It can lead to cracking or brittle conditions over time and leave your gutters that much more sensitive to any trauma from storms or debris. Strong gutters lead to a strong foundation, so you should be proactive about taking care of and protecting your gutters against UV effects.
Unfortunately, there is no SPF for your gutters that can protect them. Instead, you should be vigilant about gutter inspections and make sure that an expert like ours at Gutterworks is making the call as to whether your gutter system is working properly. If you’re looking to buy a home, keep sun exposure in mind when you choose a property. Homes near mature trees come with built-in sun protection with the shade the trees provide.
3) Animals can make your gutters their home
We all seem to be more active in the summer. Nature is no exception. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and even insects are looking for cool, shady spots to beat the heat, and your gutters fit the bill! We’ve blogged about the risks of pests seeking refuge in your gutters in the wintertime, but we have similar concerns in the summertime, too. Birds may already have nests tucked inside your gutters or under them, propped on downspouts.
If your gutter spring cleaning was behind this year, now is the time to tackle clearing out the debris in and around your gutters and downspouts. Animals thrive in that debris, and your best defense against the damage they cause is to clear it away. Gutter cleaning can be daunting, so call us for help if you need it. At Gutterworks, we do it all: cleaning, inspections, installation, and everything in between.
4) Hot, dry weather can be a good thing
It’s not all bad news! Heat can be good when you want to improve many aspects of your home’s exterior. For example, roofers (including Gutterworks) will not install shingles in cold weather because the heat is needed to cure the adhesive and securely affix the shingles to your roof.
When it comes to new gutter or gutter guard installation, warm weather and the summer season are ideal times to tackle those projects. Summertime heat and lack of rain mean that your roof and gutters have a chance to dry out, freeing them from moisture. A dry roof makes the best canvas for installing a set of gutters!
The benefits of the heat carry over to other areas of gutter care where dryness is ideal. If you have debris inside your gutters that collected moisture during a wet spring, the summer is when it gets a chance to dry out. Dry material is easier to remove – it doesn’t get stuck as easily! It is also lighter in weight in the gutter, which decreases the amount of damage that can occur because the weight of the debris won’t create a sag in your gutters.
The summertime brings its challenges and benefits to homeownership, just like all seasons. As you navigate your home’s protection, remember that there is no substitute for the expertise Gutterworks professionals have. Reach out for assistance today!