Gutters are critical in keeping rainwater away from your home’s foundation, roof, and landscape. If left neglected, however, clogged gutters can cause costly damage.
Cleaning your gutters is a necessary chore that should be done at least twice each year, preferably in the spring and fall. Follow these expert tips to maintain clean and clear gutters all year round:
Inspect Your Gutters Often
Gutters are vital to keeping your roof, foundation, siding, and other parts of your home safe from water damage. Inspecting them regularly and taking steps to ensure they work properly is important.
Trusted gutter cleaning specialists should look for clogging, holes, and corrosion signs. If any of these issues are present, they should be repaired promptly to prevent water from seeping into the house.
In addition to examining the gutters, they should also check that they are securely attached to the house and that downspouts are properly positioned. It is also a good idea to check the slope of the gutters. A gutter that isn’t sloped properly can cause it to overflow during heavy rains.
If you inspect the gutters from a ladder, it is a good idea to have someone else there to hold the base of the ladder and ensure it doesn’t slip or tip over. This will help prevent any injuries from falling off the ladder or getting caught in a fall.
Trim Trees & Shrubs
Clogged gutters can cause costly roof, siding, and foundation damage. While no one will jump for joy to climb a ladder and clean out debris, a few tips can make this chore easier.
Before you tackle a cleaning, trim overhanging branches to reduce the amount of leaves, twigs, and seed pods that fall into your gutters. You will also need to prepare a few tools, including a ladder and a pair of safety glasses. A garden trowel or child’s sandbox shovel works well for scooping out the mess, as does a bucket or tarp to catch the debris for disposal.
Experts recommend a gutter maintenance schedule that includes regular inspections and cleanings, ideally during the spring and fall but more frequently in regions that experience heavy rainfall or snowfall. Homeowners surrounded by various trees will likely need to clean their gutters more often, as the foliage sheds leaves and seed pods throughout the year.
Install A Gutter Guard
Regardless of how well they are designed, gutters that are full of debris can clog and impede water flow. If that happens, it’s only a matter of time before your home suffers expensive water damage to the roof, foundation, or walls.
Gutter guards can help prevent these issues by keeping debris out. They’re also great for homeowners who need help getting on ladders to clean their gutters.
Most gutter guards cover the entire gutter with a mesh or grate. They may require an effort to install, but they’re much easier to maintain than traditional gutters.
Some models even protect your home from bush and brush fires by providing a physical barrier between debris and embers. They are particularly effective in areas prone to wildfires. However, they aren’t a magic bullet; you will still need to clean your gutters occasionally.
Hire A Professional
Gutters are vital to the functionality of your home. They protect your home’s foundation and other areas from severe water damage by directing rainwater into drains instead of overflowing onto your property. If your gutters are clogged with debris, they can’t perform this function, which can cause severe problems for your home’s structure, foundation, and landscaping.
Clogged gutters also create a breeding ground for mold, which can travel into your living space and threaten your family’s health. Exposure to mold spores has been linked to various health issues, including allergies and asthma.
While cleaning your gutters may seem time-consuming and difficult, it is well worth the effort to prevent major water damage to your home. Cleaning your gutters regularly can save you from the high cost of repairing and restoring severe water damage. Ensure you’re prepared to tackle this crucial household chore by obtaining the proper tools, following these expert tips, and hiring professional cleaning services if necessary.
