Gutters may look indiscreet, almost invisible, running from the roof with downspouts balanced along the side of your house on their mountings, but they are a very important part of your home maintenance and roof maintenance, protecting your home’s foundation from water damage as well as your home’s siding, doors and windows by preventing water from falling off roof edges and most importantly, they protect your basement from flooding. When the rain runs off the roof, it has to go somewhere, and a good gutter system works hand in hand with a good roof.
Gutters redirect runoff water from your roof during rainstorms by allowing water to drain away from your home, so it’s vital to keep your gutters clean so they can do the very important job they are designed to do. Gutters and downspouts must be cleared of leaves and debris so they can do their job. Standing water in gutters and troughs can rot wooden gutters and rust sheet metal gutters and also allows mosquitoes to breed.
You can start cleaning out debris from the drain outlet at the low end of the gutter by simply scooping out the loose leaves and debris directly into a garbage can, plastic bag or recycling bag. You’ll need to wear heavy work gloves for this messy job.
If you have a low-sloped roof, you can blow out debris from your gutter with a leaf blower. If your drainpipes are clogged full of debris not allowing water to flow freely, you can flush out the drainpipe with a hose or an auger to loosen debris and simply remove the clogged material from the bottom of the drain outlet with your hands.
If you have to get on your rooftop to clear debris from your gutters, remember that gutters often have sharp metal parts or screws sticking out of their troughs, so always wear heavy work gloves to avoid cutting your hands. Protective eyewear is also a good idea. Using a garden hose with a pressure nozzle, start at the point farthest from the downspout. Check for holes or rust in the cleaned gutter. A trip to your local hardware store should be able to provide you with the necessary supplies to fix the damaged holes or rust depending on the material of your gutters, i.e. wood, aluminum, and vinyl. You might want to consider installing leaf traps over gutter entrances to minimize the amount of debris getting into your gutters and downspouts.
Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, more often if your roof lies directly beneath trees. Make sure to use a roof ladder or a single ladder that hooks over the ridge and lies on the roof. Always work on a dry roof and be sure to wear non-slip shoes. As with any home maintenance, safety comes first.
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