Your home’s gutters work hard to protect your home every time it rains, funneling water from the roof away from your home. However, many homeowners forget that their gutters need maintenance to continue doing their job well.
Here’s a breakdown of gutter maintenance.
Why is gutter maintenance important?
Unmanaged gutters bring with them a host of problems that can wreak havoc on your home. Clogged gutters make a wonderful home for rodents and other pests, including honeybees. They can also allow mold to grow unchecked for quite some time and even cause foundation issues.
Gutter build-up leaves your home vulnerable to roof leaks as well as leaks on both the interior and exterior of your home. Enough build-up over time can even cause gutters to fall off, causing more damage to the outside of your home.
Overall, gutter damage and build-up can cause expensive repairs that were completely avoidable with maintenance.
How to Maintain Gutters
While gutter maintenance can seem like a big deal, it’s one of the easier facets of DIY home maintenance. Cleaning and checking gutters twice a year can help you avoid costly damage. Follow these simple steps:
- Using a ladder, clean all debris out of the gutters. You can use your hands (with gloves) or a plastic scoop.
- Flush the gutters with a hose, checking for leaks as you go.
- Flush the downspouts with the hose as well, and clear any blockages using a plumber’s snake.
- Once the gutters are dry, check again for any rust or holes that need repairing.
Install a wire strainer in your downspouts (if you don’t have one already) to keep sticks and other debris from clogging them. Some homeowners use a wire leaf guard over their entire gutter system to keep debris out of the gutters.
However, keep in mind that they will still need regular maintenance and the guard might make it much more difficult to clean the gutters.
Gutter Installation With Roof Fix
Not all homes have gutters, but they should have them at the bottom of any roof slope. If you need gutter replacement or installation, choose the experts at Roof Fix.
Contact Roof Fix today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
