Maintaining the gutters on your property should be high on your list of priorities. Gutters are essential in preventing water damage to your home’s foundation. They seem small and insignificant, but they are vital to the health of your home. Thankfully, simple gutter maintenance can help extend the life of your gutters and avoid expensive repairs or gutter replacement. Here are some maintenance tips to help you keep your gutters working well as long as possible.
Trim Overhanging Trees
Gutters are especially vulnerable to damage from nearby trees which might end destroying these valuable and essential structures in your home. Leaves and other debris might fall from overhanging branches and block your gutters, thus leading up to serious blockage which might hinder flow. Gutters and downspouts are vulnerable to damage from falling branches. Overhanging tree limbs must be trimmed as part of routine gutter cleaning so that these gutters are well maintained. If you need to, hire a professional tree trimming company to do the hard work. It will be worth it in the long run.
Keep Gutters Clear of Leaves, Debris, and Pests
Leaves, twigs, and other debris may prevent gutters from doing their job and collecting and redirecting water away from your property. Keep your gutters clear of debris on a regular basis to avoid backups which might lead to some serious damage that might end up destroying the gutters. To be able to do thorough gutter maintenance, you may use either a leaf blower, a gutter scoop, or your garden hose, just be careful when getting up on a ladder. It’s also important to keep gutters clear of debris and animal nests from birds, squirrels, rats, etc.
Inspect Gutters to Ensure They are Attached and Pitched Correctly
Gutters only serve their purpose if they are firmly fastened to the outside of a building. Water may seep into your home’s foundation if the gutters become loose and slide away from the house over time. If this happens, this may lead to serious damage to your home which is something that might turn out to be very detrimental. Gutter attachment should be checked periodically to avoid leaks. In addition, the gutters should have the proper pitch (slope) to direct water into the downspouts. If gutters are not pitched appropriately, water may overflow and cause damage to your property.
Prevent Ice Dams
The edge of roofs and gutters may get blocked by ice in colder climes which mostly takes place during the winter season. Roof and property damage may result from water backing up and overflowing from gutters due to ice dams which have been accumulating over time. Make sure your attic is well insulated and ventilated to keep the roof surface chilly and avoid ice jams.
Seal Gutter Leaks
Gutter holes and leaks are a common problem as gutters age whereby they are seen to wear out due to the fact that they have been used over a long period of time. Water seeping in via damaged gutters may damage your home’s foundation, walls, and roof. If you find a hole or leak in your gutters, patch it right away to make sure that no further damage is going to take place. Small leaks may be fixed using silicone caulk or gutter sealant.
Clear Downspouts
To prevent water damage to your property, downspouts are an essential component. Water may overflow from gutters if downspouts are blocked. Keep your downspouts unclogged by clearing them on a regular basis. Downspout obstructions may be removed using a garden hose or plumbing snake.
Nothing can help gutters that are too old or damaged. If it’s time to replace them, give us a call for a free estimate today!
