The maintenance of gutters and downspouts can get overlooked, especially during winter. But now that it’s spring, it’s the best time to do a thorough cleaning and inspection! Read more for some tips.
You don’t really notice your gutters and downspouts until they stop working properly. Neglecting to clean your gutters results in a higher chance that they will get clogged or damaged, especially during rainy seasons. If your gutters are clogged and not properly maintained, they can cause water damage to the foundation of your home which could add major expenses.
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts is important and will save you money on repairs. The cleaning process is so simple that it should take no longer than an hour, which is why there is no reason not to do it!
Below is a guide to help you get started.
Check Your Entire Roof
Gutters help protect against roof rotting, so it’s a good idea to first check the entire roof for any damage or necessary maintenance, in case the gutters haven’t been cleaned in a long time.
It is very rare that we spend time up on our roofs. Because we rarely inspect our roofs, it can be difficult for us to know something is wrong until it’s too late. The last thing we want is for a rainstorm to come along and ruin our home because we weren’t aware of the problems in our roof.
The following are signs that tell you that there is something wrong with your roof or gutter system, and needs to be fixed:
- Water spots on your ceiling
- Water spots appear on exterior walls
- Your gutters are filled with granules and wash out the downspouts
- Cracking shingles
- Shingles are cupping
- The roof is missing shingles
- The roof leaks when the temperature fluctuates between warm and freezing
- There are black stains on the roof
It is important for a gutter to be installed correctly in order for water to efficiently transfer from your roof to the drainage system.
Caring for Your Gutters
When beginning to clean, you want to make sure that you have a stabilizer bar for your ladder to keep you and your gutters safe. You also want to make sure to wear gloves when cleaning tight areas. In addition, you want to have a bucket to put all the debris in so that it won’t dirty your yard, or worse cause slippery surfaces.
Gutters are made from different materials and can be different shapes. If you do need to replace your gutters or if you happen to be building a new house, the following information can help you decide what type of gutter to get.
Materials
- Aluminum – Lightweight
- Plastic – Lightweight, minimal maintenance
- Copper – Durable, easy to install
- Cast Iron – Very heavy, needs to be painted
Shapes
- Half Round
- Box
- Square Line
- K Line
Some gutters last longer than others. The life span of a gutter depends on the material it is made out of, as well as how well it is installed. You can install the gutters for your home, but it might be a good idea to call a professional to ensure the full lifespan of your gutters.
Because they deal with roofs on a daily basis, it is likely that they may catch problems before you do. With their experience, they may know to look for missing gravel, splitting or blistering of the roof, or even how to evaluate water staining or damage on the ceiling of your home.
Maintenance is Important
You should be cleaning your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, spring and fall, to make sure that there are no clogs so the water is able to drain. If your gutters are filled with leaves and debris, in addition to possible water damage on the home, it can cause damage to your gutters and even roof because of the additional weight caused by the leaves absorption of the water.
If you are a new homeowner and have been wondering what type of maintenance is recommended for the roof and gutters of your home, here are some tips:
1. You should inspect your roof at regular intervals. Because your roof is exposed to all of the elements, regular inspection is a must. By doing this, you will be able to tell if any damage may have occurred, or if any small repairs need to be completed before the next season’s weather hits, resulting in possible emergency roof repair.
2. Loose shingles are not such a big deal until they blow away in the wind. At this point, they become a major expense. Matching older shingles can be a lengthy and costly process, often resulting in a customer deciding to purchase a whole new roof because they cannot find shingles that adequately match.
3. Loose gutters and blocked downspouts can cause future roof problems that would be more easily fixed now.
CONCLUSION
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts seems like a chore that nobody wants to handle. If you’d rather prevent leaves from getting stuck in the gutters in the first place, you might want to consider having leaf-proof gutters installed.
Nonetheless, it is extremely important to have a strong gutter system on your home to avoid future problems and costs.
