Photo from North Shore Home Services.
For anyone wanting to get a head start on their spring cleaning, your gutters are the perfect place to start.
Throughout the fall and winter, one's gutters can easily become clogged with leaves and twigs from nearby or overhanging trees. Even if your home has no trees or shrubbery nearby, they can also become filled with granule, dirt, and pesky bird droppings.
Neglecting your gutters can be a costly mistake – a clogged gutter becomes ineffective and will not do its job properly, which is to catch the rain run-off and drain it away from the house. You also risk ground erosion, water ingress, and unwanted discoloration and staining on your exterior walls.
Do you really want to have rainwater leak into the foundation and either flood the basement or undermine the foundation of your home? In addition to cleaning your gutters periodically, you'll also want to make sure they're installed properly in the first place.
Don't let your home's value go down the proverbial 'gutter.'
While the Internet is flooded with all kinds of advice, it's important to weed out the good advice from the counterproductive tips. Here are seven ways you can protect your biggest investment with functioning gutter drainage and have a piece of mind that your home is properly cared for.
1) Leave Gutter & Downpipe Installation to the Pros
While you may be tempted to cut corners and save a few bucks by installing your own gutters, gutter installation is not exactly a do-it-yourself type of project. Instead, leave the task to a qualified and professional installer. Traditionally, seamless gutters (or eavestroughs, as they are often called) are aluminum.
2) You Better Shop Around
Before you commit to a gutter installation company, make sure you shop around. Don't be afraid to ask for an on-site estimate so you are fully aware of all costs and a list of references – if it's a reputable company, they'll be more than happy to accommodate your requests.
3) Get a Warranty
A warranty is an extra expense, but it will ensure your home is protected for many years to come at no cost to you.
Photo by Flickr user Jayme Frye.
4) Regular Maintenance is Key
Once you have your new gutters in place, you'll want to maintain their longevity. One of the best ways you can protect your home from the elements is through regular gutter maintenance and cleaning. While some only give their gutters a good cleaning in the fall, twice a year is ideal.
5) Clear Roof of Debris
Before cleaning your gutters, it is recommended that you clear your roof of any loose debris with an air blower. Otherwise, that debris will just eventually end up clogging your gutter. If you aren't comfortable being on your roof, it may be a good idea to hire a professional gutter cleaning company that provides roof cleaning services as well.
6) Have the Proper Tools on Hand
To get the job done properly, you'll need a good steady ladder, gloves to protect your hands, a container or bag to collect the debris, a garden trowel or small hand rake, and a hose. All of these items can be purchased at your local hardware store.
7) Ready, Steady, Clean
To begin, make sure you're steady on your ladder – once you've found your balance, you can start removing the debris from your gutters one handful at a time. As each bag fills up with debris, secure the bag and drop it below. After all debris has been removed, use the house to spray it down. Note: If you notice your gutters leak at any corners or adjoining pieces, a silicone sealant can fix the problem.
8) Leave the Gutter Cleaning to the Pros
If you'd rather leave gutter cleaning to the pros, make sure you chose a reputable company you can trust and rely on. Whomever you do choose, see to it they are insured. If you hire someone who injures themselves on the job and isn't insured, you will be liable.
While your gutters may be out of sight and out of mind until there is a problem, neglecting to maintain them will eventually take its toll on your home and your wallet. With these tips in mind, you'll ensure your gutters stay in tip-top shape for many years to come by functioning properly and efficiently.