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5 Tips for Gutter Maintenance During the Winter
Home upkeep is essential to maintain property value and prevent minor problems from becoming bigger and more expensive. Gutter maintenance is especially crucial for homeowners living in areas that experience freezing weather. Performing gutter maintenance before freezing weather sets in ensures your home is protected from water damage caused by rain, melting ice, and snow.
Gutters divert water away from your home’s foundation or exterior, where it can cause harm. Home gutters protect the fascia and ensure that water doesn’t flow into areas where it can destroy landscaping and cause erosion. Winterizing your gutter system allows you to rest easy, knowing gutters are doing their job. Completing this project every fall means you have less to worry about during freezing weather.
Clear Away Debris
Many gutter systems are open, allowing them to efficiently collect water and route it through a downspout and away from homes. Unfortunately, these systems can also collect all types of materials. Your home gutters may contain animal nests, wood chunks, dirt, sand, and even small toys. As the seasons change, leaves, branches, and other materials can build up, causing clogs.
Before you begin gutter cleaning, it is crucial to clear debris. It’s not a pleasant task, and there’s no telling what types of debris you’ll need to deal with. If you decide to take on the project, you’ll need a sturdy extension ladder, scoop or trowel, and heavy gloves. But working on a ladder can be dangerous, and it’s possible to damage gutters if you begin to fall and grab them. If you don’t have the time or aren’t comfortable climbing a tall ladder, professionals can do the job safely and efficiently. They also provide inspections, advise of any needed repairs, and can replace gutter systems when required.
Inspect Gutters for Damage
It’s essential to inspect your gutters at least once a year to identify damages and problems that prevent them from doing their job. After any debris is cleared, ensure you look for the following: Structural Damage: HGTV experts recommend checking for foundation and water damage on your home’s fascia, siding, and foundation. If you find any, examine the gutters to locate the source and make repairs.
Look for gaps between the gutter and fascia. Ensure that gutters are securely fastened to your home by the gutter spikes.
Examine downspouts and diverters. Ensure your downspouts allow water to flow away from your home so it does not collect where it can cause harm. Gutter systems are designed to redirect water a minimum of ten feet from structures. If you have water diverted into a rain barrel, think about removing the downspout during the coldest months. You could also attach a hose to the barrel’s drain, so water drains away from your home.
Clean Gutters Thoroughly
Once you clear gutters of debris, it’s essential to clean them. It’s a messy, time-consuming job, so you may want to hire professionals. If you decide to tackle the project, you can clear then clean gutters or use an all-in-one method that does both. Bob Vila recommends four effective DIY ways.
- Use a garden hose: Once you’ve removed most debris, add a water-fed tube to your garden hose and aim it at gutters. Hardware and home goods stores sell various products that include curved ends and are designed for this task. Begin cleaning at the downspout, work your way through each channel, and then back to the downspout. Expect the spray to cause flying debris.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum: Some stores carry gutter cleaning kits you can add to a wet/dry vacuum. Attachments make it simple to reach gutters from the ground and let the vacuum draw up most of the debris. However, you will still need to wash the gutters with a hose to get them clean.
- Use a leaf blower: Many leaf blowers include attachments that release strong air streams, which are ideal for clearing gutters. You will need to access gutters using a stable ladder, and you must work from channel to channel, continuously blowing out debris. It’s a good idea to block the downspouts with rags to prevent debris from entering them. Once the debris is removed, use a garden hose to finish cleaning.
- Use a power washer: You can use a power washer’s intense spray to clean and unclog gutters simultaneously. You’ll need a ladder for the project. Point the power washer’s nozzle toward a clogged downspout or gutter and let it run until the water is clear. Cleaning will probably result in dirt and debris spraying over your home’s exterior. Although messy, it can be washed off with a garden hose.
Find and Repair Leaks
Leaking gutters can’t do their jobs correctly, so it’s crucial to inspect gutter systems for leaks before winter sets in. While the task is all in a day’s work for professionals, it can be a cumbersome DIY project requiring two people. One person uses a ladder to carry a garden hose to the roof. They need to spray water beginning from the opposite end of a downspout. The other person should remain on the ground and check for leaks. You can use a patch material available at home goods stores if small leaks are found. Replacing the gutters is usually best if you see significant leaks or damage.
Invest in Gutter Guards
Gutter guards, which may be called helmets or covers, can help keep debris out of gutters. They filter large objects and help prevent clogs. Helmets snap onto a gutter’s top front, while a cover sits on top and has a screen. Professionals can add covers to existing systems, and you can request covers when new gutter systems are installed.
Home gutters help prevent water from draining off a roof and damaging soil, landscaping, your home’s foundation, and roofing materials. It’s essential to clear, clean, and repair gutter systems before winter sets in, to prevent issues that are difficult to repair in icy temperatures. Gutter maintenance can be a dangerous and challenging DIY project, so many homeowners hire professionals to do the job.
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