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Tips for Gutter Maintenance
Gutter maintenance is one of the most overlooked household cleaning chores, simply because few people realize just how important it is to keep your gutters clean, clear and in good working order. Faulty or blocked gutters can lead to overflowing, rodent infestations, expensive repairs or, in the worst-case scenario, structural damage to a building. It’s important to keep your gutters in top shape, so we asked our experts for their top five gutter maintenance tips.
TEST FOR LEAKS
Our first tip for gutter maintenance is to test your gutters for leaks. A leak can be an indicator of a much larger problem, such as blocked gutters or structural damage to the gutters. The simplest way to check for a leak is to walk around the length of your house – after it rains is the best time – and carefully look out for dripping water or obvious leakages. If you spot a leak, get your gutters professionally checked and ensure the leaks are fixed.
INSPECT FOR BLOCKAGES
Blockages can cause your gutters untold problems. A serious blockage can lead to major structural issues with your home if left uncleared. Large blockages will cause overflowing or even the collapse of gutters, while also allowing water to seep into your roof or into the foundations. You might notice a blockage if it’s large enough to be visible, but you want to catch them before this. If you spot water overflowing after heavy rainfall, you probably have a blockage. If you see birds starting to nest in your gutters, then you definitely have a build-up.
SECURE YOUR GUTTERS
Wear and tear, blockages, and the outside elements can all contribute to your gutters falling into disrepair, and it’s important to check that they’re securely fastened to their mountings. If your gutters aren’t secure they could collapse or fall from a height, presenting a danger to anyone who might be below them.
KEEP ON TOP OF REPAIRS
Remember, you need to keep on top of your gutter maintenance by doing regular repairs. If you spot a problem, it’s always a good idea to get it fixed professionally as soon as you notice it. Leaving repairs will only exacerbate the problem and, in the long run, it could cost you much more money if the problems begin to mount up.
REGULAR CLEANING
The most important gutter maintenance tip that our experts advise is to regularly clean your gutters. Without regular cleaning, gutters will quickly fill up with debris and foreign objects. They can become a haven for wildlife, including unwanted rodents and pesky birds, and they can become structurally unstable due to all that animal activity or excess weight. It’s important to call in the experts and to give your gutters a deep clean regularly. Remember, if you can’t remember the last time you had your gutters cleaned, then it’s definitely time to call in the professionals.
CLOGGED GUTTERS
What you’ll need: Wire brush, gloves, hose
It’s recommended you clean your home’s gutters twice each year—once in the spring and once in the fall. This helps prevent the buildup of leaves, sticks, and other debris. To clean gutters, remove debris from gutters by hand while wearing gloves. Use a wire brush to loosen stubborn accumulations. Rinse gutters with a hose to remove remaining dirt and leaves.
HOLES OR GAPS IN GUTTERS
What you’ll need: Sheet metal, metal snips, roofing cement, large putty knife, gutter caulk
If you notice a hole in your gutters, start by cutting a piece of sheet metal to fit over the hole. On the inside of the gutter, spread roofing cement around the edges of the hole. Gently bend the sheet metal and press into roofing cement. Coat the patch with additional cement and let dry.
RUSTY GUTTER SPOTS
What you’ll need: Wire brush, roofing cement, putty knife
Minor rust spots may appear on gutters due to outdoor elements. Luckily, they’re fairly simple to repair. Using a wire brush, thoroughly scrape away the rust on gutters. With a putty knife, apply a thin coat of roofing cement.
DETACHED GUTTERS OR DOWNSPOUTS
What you’ll need: Sheet-metal screws, screwdriver, U-shape brackets
Gutters that have pulled away or detached can cause water to run down your home’s exterior toward the foundation, potentially leading to leaks and damage. To fix a detached gutter, drive a pilot hole, and secure the gutter or downspout with U-shape brackets and short sheet-metal screws.
MISSING DOWNSPOUTS
If a portion of your downspout is missing, it’s fairly simple to fix. Start by measuring the section that needs to be replaced. Using a hacksaw, cut a new section of the downspout, being careful to cut square. File the edges and secure using U-shape brackets and screws. Seal the seam with gutter caulk.