Proper care and maintenance of your roof’s gutters will maintain the life of your roof. A roof is a valuable investment in the protection of your home. A roof protects the wooden structure of your house by preventing water damage caused by leaks. Water damage can seriously damage a house by leading to wood rot, crumbling drywall, and mold growth. Clean gutters regularly to avoid the accumulation of excessive leaves and debris. Obstructed gutters will cause damage to your roof.
Care and maintenance of roof gutters can be a messy job, but a simple one if done regularly. You can clean and care for your roof gutters in three quick and easy steps.
Step 1: Clean Out Gutters
Roof gutters should be cleaned twice a year to prevent an overflow of leaves and debris. You may need to clean out your roof gutters only once a year, or perhaps multiple times a year depending on where you live. Two complete cleanings combined with proper care and maintenance should be adequate for most areas. Before you begin, gather the supplies you will need to clean out the roof gutters. You will need a sturdy ladder, gloves, garbage bags, and a grill (barbecue) brush for stuck-on debris.
Position your ladder carefully to ensure sturdiness. Put on your gloves. Bring the brush and a garbage bag with you as you climb the ladder. Remove any screens or gutter covers. Scoop out all leaves, sticks, and debris from the gutters. You may find debris that is difficult to remove if the gutters have not been cleaned for some time. You can use a tool, such as a grill brush, to remove stubborn debris. Place all debris into the garbage bag for now. Later, you can choose to toss the garbage bag in the trash, add it to a compost pile, or dump the contents into a yard debris container (for those provided with this recycle option). Once you clean out all the roof gutters, you are ready to move on to step two.
Step 2: Rinse Gutters Thoroughly
To rinse your gutters thoroughly, you will need the following items: a ladder, a garden hose, and a wooden dowel. If you do not have a long dowel, you could substitute a wooden broomstick. The dowel is used to aid in the removal of clogs in downspouts.
A garden hose will help you rinse the gutters, check for leaks, and loosen debris stuck in a downspout. Place your ladder into a sturdy position. Turn on the hose, and carry it with you while climbing the ladder. Each time you move your ladder, make sure that it is secure before using it. Use the garden hose to spray water into the gutters. Try using a high-powered spray to remove any clogs found. Check for leaks in the gutter while you are rinsing each section out. If the spray of water will not remove a clog, then use the wooden dowel (or broomstick) to push it out.
When you have finished rinsing out the gutter, reinstall the gutter screens or covers. If you do not have gutter screens, you should strongly consider buying some. You will still need to provide proper care and maintenance to the roof gutters, but screens can filter out leaves. An abundant accumulation of leaves can cause the roof to become weak in spots, and may lead to wood rot or leaks. Serious damage can be very expensive to fix; it is much better to protect your roof with inexpensive gutter screens or covers.
Step 3: Maintain roof gutters
It is essential to find any weakness or damage of the roof, gutters, and downspouts. By maintaining these important assets, you will ensure that your investment is protected.
Carefully inspect each section of gutter, downspout, pipe, and even roofing. Look for signs of rust, warping, leaking, and weakness. You can inspect the roof from inside the house by searching the attic ceiling for signs of discoloration, dampness, water damage, cracks, or leaks. If you climb on the roof, be sure to take safety precautions so that you do not fall through any week spots.
Repair any damage by replacing parts as necessary. If you find water damage in your roof or walls, you will need to look for signs of termite infestation. Termites are strongly attracted to the smell of rotted wood and fungus that grows in water damaged wood. Contact a professional, if you suspect there is an infestation of termites. Sufficient care and maintenance of roof gutters can prevent expensive damage and extend the life of your home.
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