Homeowners should take the time to maintain and clean their gutters regularly to prevent damage and other issues. When you neglect your gutters, you can face potential consequences as severe as foundational issues and water damage.
Are you a homeowner in the Bel Air, Maryland, area looking for tips on how to keep your gutters maintained? Are you unsure where to start in prolonging your gutter’s lifespan? This article from the gutter experts at Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC will answer all your questions.
We will discuss the basics of home gutter maintenance, from the signs of gutter damage to the tips for best maintaining your gutters. Keep reading to learn more!
Basic Gutter Maintenance Tips
Some basic gutter maintenance tips include inspecting your gutters for damage and clogs, creating a gutter cleaning routine, and more. We will discuss these points in further detail so you can feel prepared to maintain your home’s gutters.
Inspect Your Gutters for Damage and Clogs
Inspecting your gutters for damage and clogs should be the first step of your maintenance routine. Some of the most common signs of damaged gutters are holes, rust, and leaks.
Clogs generally form from debris like leaves, twigs, and other items that can be blown into your gutters. When this debris accumulates for too long, it can cause serious blockages. When rainwater is blocked from draining properly, it can cause a variety of serious problems like:
- Foundational damage to the home
- Exterior paint peeling
- Pest problems
- Ice dams during the winter
- Water damage, mold, and mildew
While holes and leaking joints can be fixed fairly easily, rusting gutters generally mean that they need replacement and are at the end of their lifespan. Talk to a gutter expert to schedule a service in a time-sensitive manner so your home can stay protected.
Create a Gutter Cleaning Routine
Make a routine of cleaning your gutters twice a year, every spring and fall. You can use a garden trowel or gutter scoop to clear the debris. Cleaning your gutters every fall is especially important, as neglecting to do so can put you at serious risk of ice dams in the winter.
Ice dams happen when melting snow on the roof can’t drain properly and backs up and refreezes. This can cause serious damage to the shingles, which can then compromise the integrity of your roof. A weakened roof can lead to issues like leaks and water damage.
If you live in an area with a lot of overhanging trees, you will likely need to clean your gutters more frequently. Leaves can fall and collect in your gutters and cause serious blockages.
Install Gutter Guards
Gutter guards were designed as a gutter protection system, which can help prevent leaves and debris from falling into your gutters. With gutter guards, the need to clean inside the gutter will be greatly reduced, and build-up will be prevented.
Check for Clogs in Your Downspouts
By checking your downspouts and cleaning them regularly, you can ensure your gutter system stays clear and efficient. While checking your gutters for clogs may seem easy enough to remember, it’s important not to neglect checking your downspouts.
An easy way to check your downspout for clogs is by pointing your garden hose inside and turning on the water. If the water sprays back at you forcefully, it’s likely there is a clog.
Install Downspout Extensions
Installing downspout extensions are designed to carry excess water away from your home and its foundation, unlike traditional downspouts that typically use splash blocks, which only carry the water a couple of feet away from your home.
Splash blocks can be moved by heavy flows of water, and if they are not replaced to their proper position, water can gather and wreak havoc on your foundation.
When to Hire a Professional Gutter Expert
Homeowners can generally do their own gutter maintenance, as light cleaning jobs can be done easily enough with minimal equipment, but more serious cases of damage and blockages can warrant hiring a professional gutter expert.
If you’re facing a severe clog in your gutters that you can’t unblock, or if you see serious signs of rust or damage, you should call a professional. They will have the knowledge and tools to do the job effectively and time-efficiently.
Conclusion
Keeping your home’s gutters properly maintained will help prolong their lifespan and keep your home protected from issues like water damage. By following this guide’s maintenance tips, you will be equipped to take care of your gutters for years to come.
If you live in the Harford County area and are interested in having your gutters repaired or replaced, reach out to the gutter experts at Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC today! With years of experience in servicing the area, our goal is to provide you with gutters you can be proud of.
Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC also offers roofing and siding services so that you can get all your home exterior needs met with one team of experienced professionals. Visit us online today or call us at (410)-638-7021!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How frequently should your house gutters be cleaned?
Generally, your gutters should be cleaned twice a year, in the fall and spring. However, homes with a lot of overhanging trees may need to check their gutters much more often to ensure there are no excess leaves blocking the gutters.
How can you tell if your gutters are damaged?
Your gutters are damaged if you notice things like rust, holes, and leaks in the joints. Holes and leaks can be fixed fairly easily, but rust generally means it’s time for your gutters to be replaced. Additionally, gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house will need to be repaired.
