The gutters on your home are very important, as they protect your roof as well as the siding and foundation on your home. If you let your gutters get backed up with debris, then water gets backed up and then the water will flow underneath your roof. This will cause roofing problems, and water will get into your home's attic. Your gutters will also be damaged if they are full of debris, as it would cause them to loosen and they may even fall off your home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep the gutters in great condition so they will last much longer for you. Below are two ways you can do this.
Clean Gutters and Downspout
It is important that you check on your gutters periodically to ensure they do not have debris built up in them. Along with the gutters, you also need to ensure the downspout does not get clogged up. The next time it rains go outside and check the downspouts to ensure water is flowing through them freely. If not, use a flashlight to look up into them, and if you see any clogs, use a plumber's snake to remove them.
To clean your gutters, you can use a small hand shovel to remove any built-up debris, or you can use a gardening hose. Do not use a pressure washer; if you do not use it correctly, you will damage the gutter and even your roof if you accidentally spray it.
Install Gutter Guards
If you find that you are constantly cleaning leaves out of your gutters (which is likely if you have a lot of trees around your home), this can get frustrating. To help with this, you can install gutter guards over the gutters to keep the leaves out. These gutter guards are made of a type of plastic or made of metal. They are very easy to install so you could likely do this on your own. They simply clip to the outside of the gutter or onto the edge of your roof. The only maintenance you have to do with these is to brush leaves off the top of the gutter guard periodically.
Gutters guards have a mesh screen, so air circulates and it is difficult for things to get through them. You should still check them once or twice a year, as sometimes small seeds or other small materials may make their way through.
Talk with a roofing contractor about your gutters, who can give you much more information. The roofing contractor can also do the gutter guard installation for you if you do not want to do it on your own.
