Full-fledged gutter inspections are usually best put off until the warmer months when it’s safer to climb a ladder and get a closer look. However, even the winter can be a great time for simple visual inspections from the ground – and you might just spot something that could prevent a disaster from occurring, too. Here’s what you should look for during your wintertime visual inspection.

 

Things to Check During Your Basic Inspection

 

If there’s snow on the ground, you’ll likely want to conduct your inspection from the ground. The good news is that you can spot most of the serious issues that can cause problems in this way. When walking around your home, be sure to check for the following:

 

• Sagging Gutters – Sagging gutters are one of the biggest causes of issues in the wintertime. Gutters that sag allow for pooling, and as those pools freeze, the gutters become heavier and heavier, making the sag even worse. Over time, the gutter system can pull away from the home and cause serious damage. If you notice any sagging, make a note of it and plan for an immediate repair.
• Gutters Pulling Away from Your Home – You may also notice that your gutters (or the hangers used to attach them to your home) have begun to pull away. This is indicative of too much weight in the gutter, but in rare cases, it can also be caused by severe weather and high wind. Once again, it is important to schedule immediate repairs if you notice this issue.
• Holes and Cracks – Holes and cracks in your gutters interfere with their ability to do their job properly. After all, the goal is to carry rain and melt away from your home where it cannot cause water damage, and if there is a hole or crack in the system, water will fall where it shouldn’t be. If you see holes or cracks, take a note of their locations and schedule a repair.
• Rust or Corrosion – Finally, rust and corrosion should be noted carefully. Though a very small amount of rust at the bottom of a downspout (a common location for rust) that has not completely eaten through the gutter may not call for an immediate repair, you should have it repaired as soon as possible as it will spread quickly.

It is also helpful to go outside during a light rainfall to try to find any areas where the water may falling over the side of the gutter or leaking from a crack or hole you could have missed.

 

What to Do in the Case of an Issue

 

Winter is hard on gutters, and if you live in an area that gets quite a bit of snow or ice, it’s even harder. If you notice any issues during your inspection, the best thing you could do is perform the necessary repairs as quickly as possible. You can visit GutterSupply.com for all your gutter hangers and replacement gutter needs, or you could call a local contractor that specializes in such repairs.

 

If you haven’t inspected your gutters yet this season, now is the perfect time to do so. If you are a contractor interested in some excellent ways to provide value-added services to your clientele this winter, visit GutterSupply.com where you will have access to discounted gutter materials, accessories, machines and more after creating your contractor account.