A solid, dependable gutter system is essential for protecting your home. While you may not be thinking about your gutters very much in the wintertime, gutter maintenance during the cold season is crucial for keeping the system functioning properly. Here are some of the best ways that you can protect your gutters this winter season:
Clean Them Out
You’re likely used to cleaning out your gutters in the fall when leaves pile up and can cause clogs and other issues, but you may not realize that you need to clean them in the wintertime as well. When it’s cold, snow often compacts and does not melt, which puts additional weight and strain on your gutter system. When this snow builds up too much and gets too heavy, it can actually cause your gutters to break away from your home. It is important to keep an eye on your gutters and make sure that they are not being overloaded by snow and debris.
Trim Your Branches
One of the best ways to keep your gutters clean is to stop debris at the source. Take some extra time to trim the branches of the trees around your yard to prevent leaves, twigs, and dirt from getting into your gutters in the first place. Making sure that the trees in your yard are trimmed and groomed isn’t just a good idea in the winter time, but is a habit you should practice throughout the whole year.
Get Them Realigned
Over time, through normal wear and tear, your gutter system may become misaligned. If your gutters are misaligned and stick out at an odd angle, water will not be diverted from your home as effectively as it should be, and your structure may suffer the consequences. With misaligned gutters, water is likely to pool around the base of your home, which can hurt your foundation, driveway, and lawn. If you believe that your gutters are misaligned, it may be time to call in the professionals. Attempting to align your gutters on your own may do more harm than good.
Do a Careful Inspection
It is important to carefully inspect your gutter system for damage. Make sure that there are no leaks and that your system is firmly attached to your home. Do a thorough examination of your house, looking for damage to your siding, as this can be a sign of a leaky gutter. It’s also important to look at your downspouts and diverters to make sure they are working correctly. If you see any issues with your gutters, call a professional right away. Your gutter system is no place to cut corners. A solid, working gutter system can save you lots of time and money from repairing unnecessary damages to your home down the road.
Call the Professionals
If you are concerned about your gutters or are worried that your system is not prepared for the winter, err on the side of caution and contact the professionals. A professional maintenance man will be able to thoroughly clean your system and will know how to carefully inspect your gutters to make sure they are up to speed and functioning properly.
Install K-Guard Leaf-Free Gutter System
The easiest way to protect your gutter system in the winter is to upgrade to a K-Guard Leaf-Free Gutter System. Our K-Guard technology is the easiest way to prevent build-ups of snow, dirt, and other unwanted items and to drastically cut back on the amount of time you will need to put into gutter maintenance this season. A K-Guard gutter system is the best gift that you can give yourself this holiday season and will save you time and effort not just in the winter time, but the whole year round.
Gutters are an essential part of your home’s structure, so it is crucial to care for them this season. K-Guard technology makes this easy. If you want to learn more about our patented K-Guard design or want to find your local K-Guard vendor, you can visit us online at www.kguard.com.
