Gutter Maintenance 101 A Homeowner’s Guide

It doesn’t matter whether you live in an old or new house, in both cases, when it’s time to check and maintain certain aspects of it, you mustn’t overlook the gutter. Many homeowners tend to take this fixture lightly, which isn’t very wise.

On the contrary, just like many other components of your home, this one needs to be properly taken care of as well. Now, the question is, why gutter cleaning and maintenance is so essential?

Bear in mind that it’s designed to manage water and when it’s raining outside, it effectively channels water flow from the roof. If it isn’t properly maintained, it can result in serious water damage.

Now, if you would like to uncover the secrets of proper gutter maintenance, then these are the tips that may help you out!

Prioritize Ladder Safety

There are various gutter tips that are considered pivotal, and this is, by far one of the most important. Be sure that each foot is on a stable surface, and not on something that can easily move, such as mulch or rocks.

There may be several parts of the gutter system where you won’t be able to prevent the landscaping, that’s precisely why it’s of huge importance to have some sort of ladder stabilizer that’s going to allow you to thoroughly clean the gutters. If you want to easily accomplish that, then these are the things that you’re supposed to do:

• Put both of your feet on a flat even surface
• If the surface isn’t even, then make sure to use a ladder stabilizer
• If by any chance, you are not too sure about the footing, then it would be smart to contact a professional

Experts Can Help!

As stated in the beginning, gutters are oftentimes overlooked, for unknown reasons, and people obviously do not realize how crucial their role is. After all, they are the ones that not only safeguard the space you live in but also your health.

But what are you supposed to do if you encounter any problems with them? When something like this occurs, then it’s time for Gutter Repair Services to step in. What makes them so beneficial?

There are a number of reasons why you should hire them. Firstly, these professionals (unlike you) have the necessary skills and knowledge that allow them to combat a variety of different issues that are related to the gutters.

Additionally, they have worked with different gutter systems and materials and precisely this experience and expertise enable them to keep various problems at bay, like leaks, clogging, and water damage.

And lastly, they are perfectly familiar with numerous safety practices and are equipped with all kinds of tools that are designed to clean and maintain them. 

You Must Clean Them As Often As You Can

Just like with many other aspects of your house, this one requires regular maintenance and dedication if you want to ensure nothing disrupts its functioning. Bear in mind that things like branches, leaves, and many others pile up over time (pretty quickly), especially during spring and fall when trees shed too much.

That’s exactly why it’s your duty to clean the gutters (at least) every six months. Another thing that affects whether you’ll do it more frequently or not is the proximity of foliage around your property.

Speaking of this, it wouldn’t hurt to consider having gutter guards, because they are perfect in preventing accumulation. But even if you have them, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t maintain them on a regular basis.

The whole point of regular maintenance is to prevent water damage and clogs, and for these purposes, you can leverage different effective tools such as wet/dry vacuum and garden hose.

Inspect The Gutters From Time To Time

This isn’t something that you must do every day, however, it would be advisable to do it occasionally. This isn’t anything that’s too complicated, however, it does require your focus and attention.

Whenever you can, you should walk around your property and cast your eyes on the gutters. Is there anything unusual that grabbed your attention? Do you notice any signs of corrosion or rust?

Do your gutters seem okay, or are they dropping? Are there any cracks? If by any chance you see any small holes, cracks, or gaps, then you should resort to a gutter seal to seal the leaks. On the other hand, if the damage looks pretty severe and large, then your safest bet is to contact a professional so they can either replace damaged parts or put them in gutter brackets.

Is There Anyone Who Can Assist You?

Gutter-related tasks can be, at times, pretty challenging and complex, hence it would be recommended to have someone by your side who’s going to help you out by handling your tools from the ground while you’re on the ladder.

There’s no point in constantly going up and down, when you can have someone who can hand you things and, concurrently, make this entire process a lot faster and more effective. Furthermore, if you haven’t cleaned the gutters in a very long time, then this person can rake up the debris and leaves, instead of consistently filling one bucket after another.

Don’t forget that cleaning the gutters isn’t smooth sailing, and that, in fact, it can be quite risky and dangerous, therefore, you must have a person next to you who isn’t completely clueless as far as this is concerned. 

They should also be prepared to help you out if (God forbid) an accident happens. When you have an extra pair of hands and a set of eyes, it surely comes with various benefits, like:

1. You have an additional layer of security
2. You won’t need to continuously climb on the ladder
3. They can help you out in case of an incident

Taking care of your gutters will bring you a plethora of benefits. For starters, you’ll extend their life, and more importantly, you will effectively protect your house against water damage. Consequently, if you haven’t maintained them in the past, now may be a good time to do so.