As the leaves finish falling and the season transitions from fall to winter, it’s the perfect time for some quick gutter maintenance. While cleaning your gutters may not be at the top of your list of things you want to do this weekend, here are a few steps on how to keep your gutters clean and well maintained and may keep you from having gutter problems down the road.Table of Contents:
- Why gutter maintenance is important
- How to keep your gutters clean and what you'll need
- The Process
- Gutter problems to watch for all year round
- Get your free gutter estimate
Why Gutter Maintenance Is Important
Your roof and gutters can be easy to forget in the midst of a busy life. You may not think about your gutters at all unless you notice a problem. But keeping your gutters clean is important because, over time, leaves and other debris can get caught inside and start to build up.As debris builds up it can cause clogs that prevent rain and water runoff from flowing off the roof correctly. Over time, this stagnant water weighs down your gutters and causes them to sag. The clogs can also cause water to overflow in the gutters and damage your siding, foundation, and landscaping. It can also contribute to roof leaks.
How To Keep Your Gutters Clean
Cleaning your gutters isn’t complicated, but it always helps to know what you’re supposed to be doing. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you safely clean out your gutters:
What You’ll Need
- A ladder tall enough to reach your gutters
- A pair of work gloves
- A small plastic shovel
- A garden hose
- A spray nozzle for the hose
- Eye protection
- A tarp to catch falling debris
The Process
Step 1: The first step in the process is to clear all the debris out of the gutters. Put on safety glasses and work gloves to protect yourself from any sharp debris. Start near a downspout and set up your ladder. Use either your hands or a small plastic shovel to clear out any built-up debris.Work your way around the house, moving the ladder as needed.
Step 2: After the debris is removed, you’ll want to flush out your gutters with the garden hose. Attach the spray nozzle to the hose, and start at one end of the gutter.Spray a steady stream of water toward the downspout (the vertical pipe that takes water from the gutters to the ground). This will clean out any remaining dirt and debris.
Step 3: Once your gutters are clean, make sure to check the downspouts for clogs or debris buildup.To check, you can use the hose to spray water into the downspout and watch how much water comes out. If less water comes out than you sprayed in, the downspout may be clogged.Clogs can usually be fixed by feeding a garden hose through the downspout and turning on the water at full pressure. This should dislodge the clog. If not, using a plumber’s snake will probably solve the problem!Step 4: Move your ladder to the next section of gutters and repeat the steps above until all of the gutters are clean.Once you’ve finished these steps, your gutters should be clean and ready for winter.
Gutter Problems To Watch For All Year Round
Even with routine gutter maintenance, gutter problems can still sneak up on you. Here are 3 warning signs of gutter trouble to keep an eye on throughout the year:
Damaged Gutters
Wind, hail, and severe storms can bend, or even break, your gutters. If you notice obvious damage after a storm it’s worth getting it checked out!
Leaks
Water should flow through your gutters and out your downspout. If you notice water streaming down from the middle of your gutters, then you probably have a leak in your gutter. In this case, it will need to be fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
Buildup
If you ever notice visible debris buildup in your gutters, you know it’s time for a cleaning. Spring and fall are typically the best times to clean your gutters, but any time you notice buildup it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.
Get A Free Gutter Estimate Today!
If you’re in need of new gutters in the Central Virginia region, Cenvar Roofing would be happy to serve you! We have been installing state-of-the-art roofing and gutter systems throughout the region for years, and we would love to add your home to our list. Visit our website to schedule a free estimate today, and someone will be in touch with you soon!
