We’re heading into autumn and you are starting to rake the leaves out of your yard. Fall cleanup always seems like a daunting task. But, there is one task you need to add to your to-do list: gutter cleaning. Have you ever cleaned your gutters to prepare them for winter?
During fall cleanup, gutter cleaning is an important, but sometimes overlooked, task. Before the winter sets in, it is important to clean any fallen leaves out of your gutters and drain system.
Why your home needs gutters
Your home’s gutters help to trap and control the flow of rainwater from your roof to wherever you want it to go. Routine gutter inspection and maintenance is a simple solution to prevent damage to your home and property from unwanted water flow.
If your home is not equipped with a gutter, then you run the risk of rainwater:
- Washing out your lawn and landscaping
- Weakening your foundation
- Entering your basement
- Inviting termites into moistened wood
- Collecting in places that are slightly lower than others.
While not all homes have gutters, they are a simple addition that can end up saving your home and landscaping.
Why you need to inspect and clean your gutters
Gutters allow rain water to drain away from the home, preventing water damage to windows, siding, foundation and roof. As with many other aspects of your home, it is important to properly and routinely inspect and maintain your gutters to ensure that they remain in complete working order. Conduct routine gutter inspection and maintenance at least twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring.
Not doing so can lead to situations that are even worse than having no gutters at all. Winter and spring are the hardest seasons on your gutters. If gutters are not clear, rainwater, snow and ice may dam up and overflow. Routine gutter inspection and maintenance can go a long way in preventing this from becoming a problem.
Keeping them clear can help prevent the need for some pricey home improvement projects in the future. Follow the steps below to understand the safest way to clean your gutters.
Tips to simplify the gutter cleaning and inspection
Find the correct ladder for the job
Choose a sturdy ladder and a sturdy base on which to place the ladder. If it is possible, use a step ladder — this is the safest option. If you must use an extension ladder, place the ladder carefully against the gutter. Never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder. It is also always a safer option to have someone spot you from the ground while you are working from a ladder.
Inspect the gutters
Look for sagging gutters and holes or cracks. Missing, broken or bent gutter hangers can cause the gutter to sag. Replace these relatively inexpensive pieces of hardware quickly, before your gutters are required to support the extra weight that comes in the winter and spring.
Patch small holes and cracks in your gutters with a simple adhesive and a small piece of gutter or similar material. If you have extensive holes and cracks, however, you may need to have that section of gutter replaced.
Gutter aprons help prevent water from dripping between the gutter and the fascia of your roof. If you are having this problem, then your system may not have a gutter apron or it may be improperly installed. Check to see if you have gutter aprons by looking for an L-shaped metal flashing that is nailed underneath the shingles and goes down into the gutter. This flashing helps ensure that the water flows directly into your guttering, rather than traveling into your home.
Scoop out loose debris
Debris is one of the main causes of gutter malfunction. A clogged gutter will only contribute to water overflows and ice buildup. It is also one of the easiest things to fix, when it comes to maintaining and repairing your gutters. It is important to wear heavy gloves when reaching into gutters to protect your hands from any nails, screws and metal shards.
Carefully scoop the loose debris out of the gutters. You can use a narrow garden trowel for this task. Remember to always work away from the drain outlet. Scoop the debris into a plastic bucket to make them easy to dispose of later.
Blast the gutters with a hose
Using a hose with a high pressure nozzle, individually wash out each length of gutter. During this task you want to remember to work towards the drain outlet.
Clear obstructions in drain pipes
If water does not drain freely through the drain pipes, flush the debris down with a hose. If this does not work you can use a plumber’s snake. The snake will allow you to pull debris free from the bottom, and in some cases, push it through from the top. Once the water flows through freely, the drain is clear.
Look For Water Accumulation
After you have cleaned your gutters, checked for damage and installed any gutter apron that was missing, look for pooling water around your home. If your gutter is clean and should be working properly, this could be a sign of improperly installed gutter or hidden damage. Make sure that all of your guttering is attached properly to all gutter hangers, and that no pieces are bent. Check to make sure that your gutters are installed at a slight downward angle, pitched toward the downspout. If not, then you may need to have your gutters adjusted.
Although your gutters can be a lifesaver when it comes to preserving your landscaping and preventing water accumulation on your property, they can present a number of problems when not working properly. A routine inspection can detect and eliminate nearly all of these issues before they actually become a problem. This will not only help prevent obnoxious water build-up in your yard, but also potential roof and foundation damage.
The leaves are just turning in New England and should be falling soon. Have you scheduled your fall gutter inspection and cleaning yet?