Gutter Guards Installation in Cedar Rapids, IA

ABOUT US

Since 1948, Tomlinson Cannon has been Eastern Iowa’s trusted expert in keeping homes dry. We’ve earned our reputation by providing exceptional service and guaranteed solutions protecting your home roof to foundation. From seamless gutters and roofing to basement waterproofing and foundation repair, our team of skilled professionals delivers quality workmanship and delights you every step of the way. When you choose Tomlinson Cannon, you get our commitment to keeping your home dry and on firm foundations for generations to come.

The Tomlinson Cannon team of roofing and home foundation repair experts in Eastern Iowa.

Two of the most important features of your home are the foundation and the roof, both of which depend heavily on an effective gutter system. If the gutter system fails, it can significantly impact both the roof and the foundation of your home, causing extensive and expensive damages. When gutters fail, the first thing that is impacted is the roof, ultimately leading to water finding its way down to the foundation. However, when many people think of improving their homes, they often ignore the gutters. There is an array of corrosive agents that can corrode the gutters over time. Although maintenance and routine repairs will help to reduce the risk of damages to the gutter system, eventually new gutter installation will be a necessity. Is it time to replace your gutter system? This mini guide will alert you of a few rules of gutter installation and the types of installation.

Find Professional Help

One of the most important rules to remember when it comes to gutter installation is getting professional help. Having the gutter system installed professionally is essential in preventing damage to the walls and roof as well as ensuring your gutter system lasts a long time. Even if you are a confident DIYer and have friends to help with the gutter installation, there are several things that can go wrong, so it’s best to have a professional do the installation for you.

Gutter Removal

If you want to save a little money on the price of a gutter guard installation in Cedar Rapids, you can consider removing the old gutters yourself, but it is important to use extreme caution when performing this task. Not only can you damage the roof and walls of your home, but if you aren’t careful, you can also end up injuring yourself. When the old gutters are removed, whether by you or by the gutter contractor, make sure the old gutters are properly disposed of. Some cities accept them for recycling purposes, so check with your county to see if this is an option.

What Are My Options?

There is a wide range of options when it comes to new gutter installations in Cedar Rapids. The wide array of choices allows you to choose the best option for protecting your home as well as what meets your budget. It is important to keep in mind that when you are choosing the gutter design for your home, it is also necessary to remember the basic functionality of the gutter system. The gutter system is designed to accumulate rainwater and direct it away from the foundation of your home, so it is essential that the gutter installation is done properly. You will want to ensure that the gutters are aligned at the right angle so they propel water in the desired direction. Remember that properly installed gutters can save your roof, the siding, the fascia, and the foundation. A properly installed gutter system can also help prevent the risk of landscape erosion and flooding of your basement. There are basically two styles of gutters:

K-style gutters are the type that is open and rectangle in shape. They are flat on the sides and can be nailed directly to the fascia plank.
Half-round gutters are typically attached to a bracket.

Both the K-style and the half-round gutters come with a wide variety of bracket styles, from simple and utilitarian to decorative. The common types of materials used in the manufacturing of gutters include aluminum, copper, vinyl, wood, galvanized aluminum, lead-coated copper, and galvanized steel. When choosing the type of gutter installation best suited for your home in Cedar Rapids, you must consider the cost, durability, and reliability. If you have a large roof with steep pitches, it’s best to choose gutters that have a larger width in order for them to easier deal with a large volume of water coming off of the roof. If your home is relatively older, wood gutters are typically used in order to coordinate with the exterior of the home.

How Long Will My Gutters Last?

Rain gutters are typically very durable and can generally last about 25 years. However, certain materials have a longer life span. For instance, wood gutters can often last as long as 50-75 years, depending on the type of wood used and the level of maintenance and copper gutters. When well maintained, they can last as long as 100 years. If your home has a protruding roof, you shouldn’t choose K-style gutters because they require suspension. Regardless of the materials used for your gutter installation, it is important to keep in mind that gutters are still vulnerable to the elements, and they have normal wear and tear, just like any other form of an external element. Gutters that have become warped, cracked or separated from the house and/or downspout should be replaced immediately. When hiring a contractor to install your gutter guards, it is important to only hire a trusted company and one that offers some type of guarantee on their workmanship. Careless and defective installation of the gutter system can result in large expenses for repairing the damages caused to the foundation and/or roof due to defective gutters. Contact Tomlinson Cannon to schedule a consultation to help determine if your home is in need of new gutter installation.