Gutters

Damaged gutters can cause a whole slew of problems, some tedious, some expensive. With the Milwaukee weather being so turbulent, especially during the winter, homeowners should make sure their gutters are in good condition. How can you tell? There are a handful of signs that could indicate that your gutters are in need of repair. Catching these problems in the early stages will keep your gutter repair services on the inexpensive end. While, if you wait, you could end up spending thousands of dollars to repair water damages and install a new gutter system. Here is what to look out for and when you should seek out professional gutter repair services for your Milwaukee home.

Keep An Eye Out for These Signs

Gutter repair services are only a phone call away. When moving into a new home, make sure to have your gutters inspected so the need for repairs doesn’t sneak up on you too late. Some indicators that there may be something amiss in your home’s gutter system include:

Water Leaking from Your Gutters

There are a number of ways that your gutters can get punctured. They may also start to leak if enough rust has developed and eaten away at the gutter system and joints. Because gutters are built to direct water away from your home, leaking gutters will result in the opposite effect and slowly damage the exterior of your foundation. Professional gutter repair services will be a much simpler and inexpensive endeavor!

Gutters are Sagging from their Hangers

Hangers secured to fascia boards at the base of your roof are what keep gutters attached to your home. Rust, excess water, or inclement weather can eventually cause these to loosen or unfasten. When that happens the gutters will start to sag. This can result in water flowing down into your home or pooling in the center of the gutters. If your gutters are sagging have them repaired immediately to prevent further damage.

Pools of Water Collecting Around Your Home

Pools of water can result from the damages to your gutter system listed above. Whatever the case may be, it can lead to basement flooding and mold growth. If you notice this starting to happen near the foundation of your home, contact professional gutter repair services immediately to have your gutters inspected.

Visible Water Damage to Your Home’s Exterior

If you have noticed visible water damage on the siding of your home it is likely time to have your gutters inspected and/or repaired. The water damage could be the result of cracks or a split in your gutter system which would allow water to run down the side of your home and cause deterioration. Enough of this happening over time can cause the paint to peel, leave stains on the siding, and cause mold to grow. Prevent further damage and additional needs for repairs by contacting a professional gutter company right away.

We Provide Gutter Repair Services in Milwaukee

Over the Top Roofing provides professional gutter services in Milwaukee! Give us a call today if any of the instances above sounds like what is occurring at your home. We will get you scheduled and have your gutters back in repair in no time!

With the seasonal weather shifts being what they are in the Midwest, Milwaukee area homeowners should make sure to prioritize gutter installation and regular cleaning practices. Though your home may already come with what looks like a sturdy gutter system, you’ll want to make sure that is the case before heavy rain and melting snow begin to fall. Your best bet is to find a dependable gutter installation company in the Milwaukee area to inspect your gutters, perform repairs as needed, and give you tips or assist with cleaning as the seasons change.

Not sure if your home needs some gutter installation rehab? Keep reading to learn the important considerations of gutter installation for your Milwaukee area home and cleaning insights to be aware of as we approach spring.

Seamless Gutter Installation Benefits

Seamless gutters are built using a single piece of material that is attached to your roof with no seams or seamless joints between them. They are a popular choice for gutter installation in the Milwaukee area, because:

The Gutters Don’t Have Any Joins

Minimal or no joins mean there is no place for mold or mildew to form or rodents to enter and build nests. Gutters with joins also make it easy for squirrels, raccoons, and other similar animals to damage.

Seamless Gutter Installation Requires Fewer Materials

Fewer materials for construction allow seamless gutter installation to remain a more cost-effective solution than traditional metal guttering systems. When you go with metal you’re more likely to have to pay a higher amount upfront when in need of repairs. 

They Come in a Variety of Different Types

Seamless gutters come in a variety of different materials including:

• Aluminum
• Steel
• PVC
• And copper

Based on your priorities you can get a different set of benefits from each material. Aluminum is durable and affordable while copper provides premium benefits if you’re willing to spend a little more. Whether you’re looking to spend as little as possible or invest in a high-end solution, you’ll be able to find a material that works for you.

Save Money Over Time

Seamless gutter installation done by a professional contractor may seem like a high-cost upfront, but it will allow you to save more money in the long run. Compared to sectional gutter systems you will get a long-lasting and weather-resistant gutter system impenetrable to Milwaukee’s various weather conditions.

Milwaukee Gutter Spring Cleaning

A well done gutter installation will not remain beneficial if the upkeep isn’t prioritized. With the heaps of snow and rainfall that affect the midwest throughout winter and spring, it’s important that Milwaukee homeowners know how to address gutter cleaning. Doing so will avoid damage that inevitably results in spending money and time on repairs. There are professional contractors that provide gutter cleaning services in Milwaukee that can help you ensure that no damages have accrued or will occur if weather conditions become extreme.

How Often Gutters Should Be Cleaned

Gutters in Milwaukee need to be flushed out at least twice a year, once in fall and then again in spring. This will help prevent freezing in winter and rusting when summer comes. If you have multiple properties and unclogging gutters proves to be too time consuming you can hire professional contractors to clean your gutters at an affordable price.

Cleaning Rain Gutters & Downspouts

If you choose to tackle the cleaning of your gutters on your own there are some tools you’ll need in order to get the job done. Some essentials we recommend having in your arsenal include:

• Extension ladder.
• Dump bucker or bag.
• Sturdy work gloves.
• Dump bucket or bag.
• Gutter scoop.
• Spray-nozzle hose.
• Rubber shoes.
• Eye goggles.

We Provide Gutter Installation & Cleaning Services in Milwaukee

Find yourself searching for gutter installation near me? We have you covered in Milwaukee! Over the Top Roofing has been serving residents in Milwaukee and the surrounding area for over a decade. We have the experience and expertise to ensure that your gutters are properly installed and protected from harsh weather conditions. Reach out today to schedule your Milwaukee gutter installation!

Wisconsin’s climate can be tricky to navigate in the winter, where snowfalls and deep thaws happen weekly. And changes in climate can cause unexpected problems, such as when ice dams form on the roof.

Learn what an ice dam is, how it starts, and how to get rid of it to prevent damage to your home.

What Are Ice Dams? How Do They Happen?

Ice dams are masses of ice that form on your roof and in your gutters. An ice dam forms when water from melting snow freezes. It then forms a mass of ice that starts out small but can grow immensely when the temperature fluctuates.

According to research from the University of Minnesota, ice dams form mainly due to heat loss from your house or exhaust systems. And although they’re common, ice dams should never be taken lightly, as they can cause tremendous damage to your gutters and roof.

How Do Ice Dams Affect My Home?

When left untreated, an ice dam can really do a number on your home’s roof and drainage system. For instance:

• According to a blog post from Nationwide Insurance, ice dams can cause your roof shingles to lift up, allowing water to seep into your home.
• They can also affect your home’s drainage system since the mass of ice clogs your gutters, which can lead to flooding in and around your home.

While you can’t control the weather, there are both short- and long-term methods to prevent ice dams from forming.

Solving and Preventing Ice Dams on Your Roof

Sometimes a problem with your roof can catch you off guard. Here are a few short-term solutions to fixing an ice dam:

1. Since heat from your home may be the most likely cause of ice dam formations, you can flip the script by cooling your roof down. According to a post from This Old House, you can slow down the rate that snow melts by blowing cold air through the roof. If there is water coming out of cracks in your roof, you can blow cold air into any crack or opening to freeze leaking water.
2. Applying calcium chloride on your roof will melt snow and ice on your roof without any additional damage.

There are also a few preventative measures you can take to reduce the chance of ice dams forming. These include:

1. Regularly removing snow from your roof. Rakes are exceptionally helpful for this.
2. Performing maintenance on your gutter system before winter arrives. Regular maintenance on your gutters can be beneficial in preventing other gutter problems too.
3. Calling on a roofing and gutters expert to perform an inspection. Pros have a lot of experience, so they can often help you spot a problem before it even happens. By having a roofing professional assess your roof and drainage system, they can better advise you on how you can prevent damage from snow and ice.

Get More Information

Here in Wisconsin, ice dams can cause considerable damage to your roof and drainage system. If you are a homeowner and have concerns about your roof’s condition, it may be best to contact a professional.

For expert advise on your roof, call Over the Top Roofing to schedule an appointment. We service the greater Milwaukee area and Menomonee Falls.

Most homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about their gutters. But ignoring blocked gutters can cause serious problems you likely won’t notice until after the damage is done. That’s especially true here in Milwaukee, where rains often cause flooding.

Gutters are such a simple part of home maintenance that they often get overlooked. But rain and wind can cause leaves and branches to clog the gutters so that water cannot properly drain out. This then causes water to build up and over flow.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common problems that result when this happens.

5 Ways Blocked Gutters Can Cause Damage to Your Home

Blocked gutters are more than a nuisance. In fact, they can cause serious damage to your home. Discover what damage they can cause and how to avoid it.

1. Damage to Your Landscaping and Foundations

Both your landscaping and foundation can suffer when excess water leaks from a blocked gutter. You might not think it, but too much water is bad for trees and bushes. It’s like watering them with a fire hose rather than a garden hose.

A clean gutter allows water to flow out the downspout to be properly channeled away from the house. When this doesn’t happen as designed, the excess water can cause your foundation to shift, sink, or crack.

2. Roof Damage

When water doesn’t flow properly through the gutter at the edge of the roof, the roof’s surface and the underlining materials can become damaged. And once enough damage has been done, your roof will likely need to be replaced.

3. Damage to Doors, Windows, and Walls

Water spilling from blocked gutters eventually causes damage to many parts of your home that aren’t designed to have this much contact with water.

Your patio can flood, causing damage to brickwork and furniture. Walls can begin to sag, warp, and weaken. And the doors and windows can begin to leak, allowing water to seep into the interior of your home.

4. Mold and Mildew Damage

A lot of the damage that is caused by the overflow of water from clogged guttering often goes unnoticed because it’s hidden behind walls or around door and window seals.

Moisture trapped in these areas leads to the growth of mold and mildew. This is not only unsightly and smelly, it’s also a health hazard. Worse yet, getting rid of mold can be an expensive undertaking, and not dealing with it quickly can lead to even more extensive material damage and health issues down the road.

5. Pest Infestations

Standing, stagnant water attracts insects like mosquitoes. This is because they love to lay eggs in damp and decaying environments.

The swampy conditions produced by excess water from clogged gutters also lure unwanted critters, such as termites, carpenter ants, and other pests that destroy wood.

Keep in mind that these pests breed quickly and cause significant property damage when not dealt with swiftly.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Gutters in Milwaukee

As we’ve seen, the damage caused by blocked gutters can be both expensive to repair and have a negative impact on your health. Not sure what you can do to keep them clear and free of damage? Click here to see five gutter maintenance tips every Milwaukee homeowner should know.

But learning how to unclog gutters isn’t your only option. Hire a professional to do it for you and you’ll save yourself time and energy. It might seem expensive, but it is actually money well spent. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!