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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

FALL GUTTER MAINTENANCE

 

With fall comes a slew of home preparations for colder temperatures and falling leaves.  Though it may be tiresome to rake your leaves during autumn, the task is a necessity, and it’s equally important to clean out your gutters as well. Here is a guide to fall gutter maintenance.

Safety First

The first thing to consider about gutter maintenance is your personal safety.  t is no small thing to climb high up and attend to your gutters. In order to safely get up to your roof, use a ladder.   But be careful if you see any moisture because the steps on your ladder may become slippery.  Wear long-sleeved shirts you do not mind getting dirty since the debris that builds in your gutters may messy.

Remove Fall Foliage

Before you ascend your ladder, be sure to start at the downspout. Working your way up from the downspout ensures that no further leaves or debris will fall down the longer piping. Remove as many leaves as you can, including the wet and packed bits at the bottom.

Check for Rust, Leaks, and Holes

After you are done cleaning the gutters, do not forget to inspect them.  This will involve looking for signs of rust and leaks.  Also, check out the gutter joints.  If you spot any holes, embark on patching them up using metal flashing or a gutter patching kit that you can get at a home improvement store.  If it is the joints which are leaking, or the holes are tiny, consider applying a sealant as well as caulking the joints.  However, if you notice rust, it means that your gutters have reached the end of their lifespan.  They need to be replaced.  Consider switching to gutters made of aluminum, copper, or vinyl as they don’t rust.

Check the Downspouts

You will also need to perform the same inspection on your downspouts.  Therefore, check for leaks and rust, as well as clogging.  Also, ensure that they extend several feet away from your home so they do not drain water too close to your foundation.

Eliminate Pests and Rodents

There are several kinds of pests and small animals that might have made your gutters their home.  This is a problem for you for so many reasons.  One, their nests will definitely cause you a clogging problem. Secondly, they are likely to find their way into your home, resulting in a pest infestation.  Thirdly, rodents will attract snakes, and you might find yourself dealing with a slithery problem.  Once clogged, the collected water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, adding to your problems.  Eliminating pests is something best left for pest control experts.  Coming face to face with a snake or even bees is not something you want while you’re over 10 feet up a ladder.

Update Your Gutter

While most gutter maintenance focuses on functionality, you stand to dramatically boost your curb appeal by updating your current gutters.  If you are on a budget, consider going for aluminum gutters.  They do not rust, can be painted, have a long lifespan, and are cost-effective.  Nonetheless, you cannot install them yourself. Have a professional do it for you.

Proper Gutter Maintenance Goes a Long Way

Gutter maintenance is among the most overlooked home maintenance projects.  Nevertheless, one can be forgiven since they can’t tell the state of the gutter while looking down from below.  However, without proper care, you will find yourself potentially looking at a host of avoidable issues such as clogging, mold, pests, and more.   With proper care and maintenance, however, you will have functional gutters that look good, boosting your home’s exterior.

Check for Water Leaks

The most important step involved in gutter maintenance is keeping an eye out for damage to the system itself.  Spray water down the cleaned gutters to check for water leaks.  After your gutters are clear of debris, you should perform a water leak test.  Run a steady stream of water through your gutters.  This will reveal any leaking spots within your gutter system. Doing so will notify you of problem areas before they result in extensive damage.  If you do see a problem or a leak, note this so you can address it later.  Also, check for cracks in the wall or roof your gutter is adjacent to.  In times of heavy rain or snowmelt, overflowing gutters can spill onto your roof or walls, causing any previous cracks to let water in.

Seal Cracks

Once you have identified cracks and leaks, you should seal them as soon as possible.  You should be able to address any minor leaks with a quality sealant.  However, for more severe damage, you should consult a professional.

Consult a Professional

If your gutter system has legitimate damage that should be addressed by a professional, contact a local contractor to ensure your gutters receive quality, cost-efficient maintenance.