Why You Need To Protect Your Gutters?
Rain gutters perform the very important task of collecting rainwater from the roof and channeling it away from the structure in a safe manner. Downspouts clogged with leaves and other debris can cause water to overflow and damage the roof, siding, paint, interior walls, fascia, soffits, basement and foundation resulting in time consuming and very expensive repairs. It can also cause flooding and landscape erosion. Added weight from rain or snow in debris filled gutters might loosen the mountings and brackets and eventually stretch the gutters away from the structure. The leaves, pine needles, seed pods, and other debris that remains in a gutter with clogged downspouts eventually decays into a wet sludge. This wet and heavy layer accelerates the decay of the gutters and creates an environment where mosquitoes, termites and even vegetation can grow. Taking the time to protect your downspouts from clogging and minimizing gutter debris is essential to protecting your home.
If you own your property or are renting a home, it is a good idea to inspect the outside of your house and perform the annual maintenance chores that will keep it in good shape. One of the most important home maintenance tasks facing you is cleaning your gutters. It is a bad idea to allow leaves and debris to accumulate in your gutters because when the spring rain arrives there could be clogging that might cause excessive dripping after a seasonal thaw. These types of drainage can make their way under the roof and become a leak in a ceiling, or run down the side of the exterior and leach into and damage your basement. Yes, even a handful of clogged leaves or twigs or an out-of-place bird’s nest can create a clogged gutter and major problems requiring expensive repairs.
How to Clean Your Gutters.
Safety should always be your first concern and if you are uncomfortable with being up on a ladder we suggest you contact a local handyman or home service provider (you can find a provider in your area through www.servicemagic.com).
Any time during the year is fine to clean your gutters but we recommend early spring. Regardless, we suggest you plan your work for a dry, clear, windless day. Assemble the following tools and equipment which should include a sturdy ladder, a trowel or toilet brush, a hand-held leaf blower or a rake, along with a pair of gloves.
First, secure your ladder in a stable, level area near the house. Check out our recommended products section for a great ladder stand off stabilizer that will make climbing your ladder much easier. Second, we suggest you wear firm shoes that will help to keep your balance while on your ladder. Third, climb as far as you need to in order to reach the gutter and use your hand-size rake to gently loosen mud, debris, and leaves from the gutter, taking care not to push too forcefully, which could cause breakage. Fourth, use a leaf blower (if available) as needed to scatter collected foliage and remove as much as you can. Finally, carefully descend the ladder, move it a few feet to the right or left, and repeat the process until you have cleaned all the gutters along the roof.
If several large trees overhang your roof, you may need to clean the gutters several times a year to prevent leaf and twig buildup (see Importance of Gutter Protection below). Again, safety should be your first concern and those who are wary of heights or who lack the proper tools should hire an experienced worker to do the job for them. It is certainly not worth injuring yourself if you are uncomfortable with heights or lack suitable equipment.
The Importance of Gutter Protection for Your Property.$390.00  |
Having a quality rain gutter and downspout system installed on your home will assist in preventing water and foundation problems in the future. While having rain gutters may not seem all that important to many homeowners, it is an essential tool for keeping your home from experiencing expensive damage when it rains and from other moisture related issues.
The gutters and downspouts provide a very important protection system in different ways. They help prevent rot, mold, leaky roofs, siding damage, and water in your basement among several other things. The gutter works by collecting water off of the roof, down the closest downspout and away from your home. This will aid in preventing fascia boards from rotting out and water collecting around the foundation on your property.
As always, if climbing ladders or doing home improvement is not for you and poses a safety issue, that’s no problem. You’ll find numerous gutter and downspout contractors that will do it all for you (see www.servicemagic.com for someone in your area who can help you with the gutter installation). |
