Don't Get Stuck With Water Damage: How To Keep Your Gutters Flowing
If live in a region that experiences a significant amount of rainfall, you need rain gutters on your home. Your rain gutters will protect your home against water damage, especially near the edges of your roof and around the foundation of your home. However, your gutters can only provide that protection if they're clean and in good repair. If they're clogged up with debris, or damaged in any way, your gutters aren't going to provide you with the protection you need against water damage. Luckily, it's not too difficult to keep your gutters in good repair. All you need is a consistent maintenance schedule. Here's an easy maintenance schedule that will help keep your gutters in good condition so they can protect your home.
Rinse Them Out Once a Month
You might not look in your gutters very often, but you should. Your gutters can fill with dirt and mud quite quickly. When that happens, your gutters aren't going to be as effective as they should be. You can keep your gutters free of mud and dirt by rinsing them out once a month. All you need to do is attach an extendable watering wand to your garden hose and flush your gutters out with water once a week. The watering wand will clear your gutters and help keep them free-flowing. Be sure to flush your gutters until the water that comes from the downspout is clear.
Clear the Debris
If you have trees in your yard, you're going to end up with leaves in your gutters. Unfortunately, leaves can cause a couple of problems for your gutters. First, they can clog your gutters and downspouts, which can lead to overflow situations during a rainstorm. Second, leaves make the perfect nesting material for pests. You don't want to rinse the leaves out because they can end up clogging your downspouts. Instead, right before you rinse your gutters out, use a leaf blower to clear away the loose leaves and debris. Be sure to wear protective goggles when using the leaf blower though. You don't want to get debris in your eyes.
Inspect Twice a Year
Cleaning your gutters once a week is a great way to keep them flowing properly, but you won't be able to get a clear view of any damage unless you get up close and inspect them. That's where the semi-annual inspections come in handy. At least twice a year, get up on a ladder and take a look inside your gutters. Look for signs of cracks or rust. If you find cracks, you can use waterproof caulking to repair the damage. Simply clean the area and apply the caulking to the damaged area. Smooth it down with a putty knife and allow it to dry. If you find rust, clean the area with steel wool and then seal it with rust-proof spray paint.
You need your gutters to do their job. Use the maintenance schedule provided here to keep your gutters clean and in good working order. If you find significant dirt or damage during your inspections, be sure to have them professionally cleaned and repaired. For more information, contact a company like Mile High Seamless Gutters, Inc.