Gutters protect your home from damage in numerous ways. Attached to the fascia along the roof perimeter, the fixtures catch rain runoff. This way, water won't remain on the roof and saturate the materials or trickle down the sides of the house, causing peeled paint and warped siding. For a better idea of how the gutter system works, here is a brief guide to a few important components. 

3 Parts of a Gutter System

1. Gutter Sections

Gutters are either sectional or seamless. A sectional system includes individual, horizontal channels that are placed close together like puzzle pieces around the roof perimeter. The fixtures are secured with ferrules and hangers located in the open mouth of each section. Gaps can form between the sections over time due to harsh weather conditions or the weight of water and debris inside the channels.   

If you have seamless gutters, the solid channels aren't separated into individual sections. Instead, continuous sections run the length of the roofline. Seamless gutters are custom fitted for your home but could pull away from the roofline and sag when weighed down with grime.  

2. Downspouts

The gutter sections are attached to downspouts that run down the sides of the house. When water and melted snow enter the sections, the liquid filters to downspouts. The long pipes direct the water away from the house. This prevents standing water from collecting at the foundation, corroding the materials, and causing basement leaks. 

If gutters are free of debris but overflowing, a clogged downspout could be the cause. Fallen leaves and twigs can end up in the pipes, particularly during fall. 

3. Elbow

The elbow is a section of pipe located at the base, or end, of the downspout near the ground. The elbow is bent to control the direction water flows out of the downspout. Grass clippings, nesting materials, and additional debris can get inside the elbow and close off the opening. When mowing the lawn or letting kids play outdoors, be mindful of the elbow, as hitting it with lawn equipment or toys could dent or crack the pipe.

To keep your gutters in good condition, contact the roofing contractors at fully insured Seaford Roofing in North Carolina. With over 50 years of experience serving homeowners in Kannapolis & Concord, the skilled professionals will perform gutter repair, maintenance, and cleaning. They will also install gutter guards to keep clog-causing debris out of the channels. Call (704) 305-7776 to learn about the roofing company's guarantees and get a free service estimate.