Fall Gutter Maintenance – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004   FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM

 

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

Fall gutter maintenance is an essential task to ensure the longevity and proper functioning of your gutter system.  Below are some tips to help you maintain your gutters during the fall season:

Safety Precautions

While fall gutter maintenance is essential to good home maintenance, it can be a dangerous job.  You should never perform gutter maintenance without proper glove wear and eye protection.

Additionally, you should always use a standalone ladder while working on your gutter system.  Remember, safety should always be your first priority in any fall gutter maintenance.

Remove Leaf Debris

Leaf debris are the leading cause of fall gutter damage.  Accumulated leaves can prevent water flow, leading to extensive exterior damage to your home.

Neglected leaves can also rot, weighing down your gutters and potentially damaging your whole gutter system.  Regularly clear your gutters of leaf debris in the fall, and it will pay off in the winter.  Leaves are the primary cause of gutter damage during the fall.  Regularly clear out any accumulated leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent clogging and water overflow.

Why is it so important to clear out all of the leaves in the Fall?  That’s because winter is right around the corner.  The key to fall gutter cleaning is to wait as long as possible for every last leaf to drop, and then get the gutters cleaned before it snows and freezes over.  If your downspouts are clogged when it snows or ices, the melting water can’t drain and causes a slew of problems.  For example, water expands when it freezes, therefore it can stretch open seems on gutters and eventually bust them open.  The other major thing that happens is the snow and ice will build up and slowly pull the gutters from the wall.

Water Leak/Over Flow

Another sign that your gutters probably need to be cleaned is when you have water leaking from joints and/or seams, or when water is overflowing over the tops of the gutters.  Whenever you have water visibly leaking from the seams it could be a bad seal, but most of the times it is due to a clog in the downspout.  All that water has to go somewhere, so it will escape from every crack it can find in your gutter system. Especially near the downspout or on the downspout itself.

Water Leak Test

After your gutters are clear of debris, you should perform a water leak test.  Use a hose to run water into the gutters and observe for any leaks or blockages.  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.

Seal Cracks

Once you have identified cracks and leaks, it’s important to seal them promptly.  You should be able to address any minor leaks with a quality sealant. However, for more severe damage, you should consult a professional.

By following these maintenance steps, you can help protect your gutters from damage and ensure they function properly throughout the year.  With Fall well underway, it is important for homeowners to maintain their gutters.  The falling leaves are great to look at, but they also pose a risk for property damage.  Fallen leaves and other debris can clog up your gutters, increasing the chance that your gutters will malfunction during the winter.

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.