Are your gutters out of sight and out of mind? It can be easy to forget about your home’s gutters with them being high up and not very noticeable, but they’ll certainly become noticeable if you leave them without any cleaning or maintenance. Ignoring your gutters for too long can lead to clogs and leaks, and potentially damage to the gutters and your house due to the weight of the debris building up inside them.
Read on for some tips for looking after your gutters and keeping them in good shape.
Clear out the debris
You should clean your gutters at least twice a year to get rid of all the leaves and other bits of debris that gather in them. Make sure you do this safely with a sturdy ladder and a pair of gloves. You can simply scoop out large chunks of debris with your hand, or use a small scoop or a trowel if you prefer. If you have trees near your house that are taller than your gutters, then you may want to do this job more frequently.
Test your downspouts
Once you’ve cleared your gutters, it’s a good idea to take a hosepipe and run water through your downspouts from the top. This allows you to see how freely water runs through the pipe, identifying any blockages that need to be addressed if the water runs slowly. Installing gutter guards and drain guards can help to prevent debris from building up in your downspouts and drains.
Rake up leaves from the ground
You can help to reduce the number of leaves collecting in your gutters by raking your yard and around the house as needed, especially during the fall. As leaves build up on the ground in dry, windy weather, they’re more likely to blow around and into your gutters.
Book routine gutter maintenance
Don’t wait for a noticeable problem before having your gutters inspected and maintained. You should book a professional maintenance service once or twice a year to make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good condition, so any problems can be spotted and resolved while they are still small. You should also visually inspect them yourself during your routine cleaning, looking for any cracks, rust, or other damage and wear.
If you need a new gutter system installing on your home or are looking for repair and maintenance services, then contact Artisan Roofing Company for our trusted services around Greensboro, Winston Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, and Lewisville, NC.
