Gutters play an essential role in protecting your roof from damage caused by water, moisture and debris. They do this by channeling water away from your home. However, it is an unfortunate fact that gutters and downspouts often become clogged with leaves, twigs and dirt, which may eventually cause damage. Below are some gutter tips you can follow when maintaining your gutters and downspouts this spring:
Clear Away Large Debris
The first task on your list should be to clear away large pieces of debris. Using plastic gloves, gather any leaves, twigs and piles of dirt you wish to discard and toss them into a small plastic bag.
Removing Stubborn Debris and Clogs
After all large pieces of debris are disposed of, you must then check for patches of decomposed leaves or dirt that may have compromised certain areas of the downspouts or gutters. A small putty knife it is a great tool to break up stubborn patches of debris. However, do not use the tool in a rough manner, as this may result in a damaged gutter.
To remove any remaining clogs, run water through gutters and downspouts with a garden hose and have someone check to see if the water is coming through freely on the other end. If the water is flowing through slowly and still contains some debris, keep the stream of water going until it runs clear.
Other Helpful Gutter Tips:
If the downspout of your system leads directly to the drain, you should first disconnect the two areas so that debris is not accidentally pushed into the drain and another problem created. When the system has been cleaned and unclogged, you should also tighten any loose nails and screws while you are still on the ladder, as this will save work later.
Virtually all homeowners want a safe and comfortable dwelling, and following the aforementioned gutter tips will help you jump start your spring home maintenance. Finally, if you suspect your home has a gutter or roof problem, contact a professional as soon as possible to inspect the area and offer an estimate.
