Get Those Gutters and Downspouts Cleaned Out in Preparation for Fall and Winter

dmhome • Oct 01, 2018

 

There aren’t really any steadfast rules when it comes to cleaning your gutters. Some people will clean them out every month, while others will take out the ladder and do a little preventative maintenance two, three, or four times a year.

The only thing that you need to know when it comes to your gutters is that yes, they do need to be cleaned. The schedule that you choose is up to you, but we do recommend that you do it often enough to make sure that water can flow through them easily.

Any leaves, small sticks, animal nests, or other debris that builds up can prevent that water from flowing through and that can mean a lot of damage for your home. It is not difficult to remove any of these items and isn’t time consuming either.

All you need to do is climb up a ladder to your gutters and using your hand, scoop everything out into a bucket. We do recommend using gloves for this project, because you never know exactly what is in those gutters. You can even purchase a gutter scooper to tackle this task, just make sure that you use it properly, so you do not break your gutters.

Once all the junk is out of your gutters, it is time to use a hose to rinse them out. We urge you to make sure that the water flows all the way through, including all the way to the bottom of your downspout. If the water isn’t exiting your downspout, you will need to see what is blocking it and remove it. Do not leave it alone, as it will let the water keep backing up and it will eventually overflow onto your home and foundation. That can cause significant damage, which is expensive to repair.

Of course, your gutters also need to be inspected to make sure that they are not broken, cracked, pulling away from your home, or rusted. A good time to do this inspection is when you are cleaning out your gutters, because you are seeing them up close at that time. If you happen to notice any of these problems, it may be time to have new gutters put onto your home.

A professional can let you know if repairs are possible or if replacement is necessary, so they should be the first people you call if you spot an issue. They can also come help you clean out your gutters, especially if you do not know what to do or if you are unsure of whether or not there is a blockage.

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