The gutter is a part of your home that needs regular maintenance just like every other aspect of your house. Gutters are integral to your roof too. Maintaining them will save you money from unnecessary repairs. Gutter maintenance is a preventive measure that ensures that every area of your home functions at its best.
For you to avoid problems with your home, gutters are meant to be a track that allows water to drain off of your roof easily. The drained water is supposed to flow down through drain pipes to a place far from your home. If not in the right condition, a lot can go wrong with your gutter, leading to problems in your house.
What Are Possible Gutter Problems?
A gutter that’s not properly cleaned and maintained can develop several issues. Some of the common problems may include:
- Clogs caused by clumped leaves
- Blocks caused by twigs
- Mildew and mold from still water
- Insect infestation
- Buildup of debris
What Are the Benefits of Cleaning Your Gutters?
You do not need to worry about problems like water damage when your gutters are functional. However, if they are not functional, you will notice issues over time. With frequent cleaning and repairs, maintaining your gutter system is cheaper than working on it after water damage occurs.
Basement flooding and foundation corrosion are the two major issues that can occur due to malfunctioning gutters. Both issues are serious. Fixing problems associated with them can be very costly. One benefit of gutter cleaning and repair is that it will save you these unnecessary expenses.
With a clean gutter, you do not need to worry about structural problems caused by the water that runs off your roof. A clean gutter will allow water through and pass it to a place further from your house.
Tips for Cleaning and Repairing Gutters
Gutter cleaning and repair can be very dangerous. If it is not done properly, it can be both time-consuming and labor-intensive.
To help you with the process, here are some tips for cleaning and repairing gutters…
Safety first
Ensure that you have all the necessary equipment before you proceed with . Safety equipment that is needed must include safety goggles, non-slip shoes, and gloves to protect your hands. In addition to these, a ladder that is tall enough is required. To avoid rocking, place it on an even surface.
Make sure that your hips are between the rails every time that you are on the ladder. Never work on the first two steps at the top or lean on the sides. If there are power lines close to where your gutters are or they are very high up, contact a gutter professional to do the job. This will help you avoid any unnecessary risk.
Clear the roof
Your priority is to be safe as you scale such high heights. You should never go on the roof when there are strong winds, or when it is icy or wet. Only do the clearing when the weather is ideal. Remove all debris like leaves and tree stems using a rake. Doing so will ensure that your gutters are not clogged by debris during rainfall.
Also, your gutters may be home to different types of small animals and pests. This is an issue that can develop into pest infestation in your home. If that is the case, a pest control expert is in the best position to eliminate them. Seeing snakes and rodents is not something that you would want when you are several feet high up.
Check for holes, leaks, and rust
Remember to inspect the work you have done after cleaning your gutter. This involves looking for indications of leaks and rust. Also, take a look at the joints of the gutter. Patch any hole you spot. Do this using a gutter patching kit or metal flashing. You can get these kits at your local home improvement store.
If you notice leaks from the joints, caulk the joints and apply a sealant. Additionally, noticing rust means that your gutter is damaged. Your gutters have reached the end of their lifespan at this point. Consider replacing them with gutters made of vinyl, copper, or aluminum– these materials do not rust.
Repair it on the go
Try as much as you can to limit the time you spend on the ladder. You should not be bothered to make separate trips to clean and repair your gutter. As you go about the cleaning, tighten any loose section of the gutter. Long lag bolts are a supply that is handy here– have them held by an assistant or secure them in a bag.
The best time to repair your gutter is when you are cleaning it.
Test your work
Test all that you have done as you go about your cleaning routine. It is easy to evaluate open gutters. Spouts on the other hand need more attention. To ensure that the spout is clear, spray water down it. The spout will be clogged if you have not done the cleaning properly. Also, the water will pool and back up at the top– this will be visible for you to see. This implies that you should try cleaning the gutters again.
Conclusion
Investing time into cleaning and repairing your gutters is worth it. Water will flow properly through your gutters when they are clean. Make repairs as needed. These activities will ensure the structural integrity of your house in the long run.