Tips on Maintaining Rain Gutters
Rain gutters are a vital part of the roofing system of your home. The rain gutters are designed to divert stormwater and rain from your roof and away from the foundation of your home. Water damage can be caused by cracked, broken, or clogged rain gutters. Excessive amounts of water that drip or cascade over the gutters may damage your foundation or leak into your crawlspace. It’s important to maintain and inspect your gutters on a regular basis in order to avoid any of these issues.
1. Regularly clean your gutters
Every few months, homeowners should clean their gutters to allow rainwater to flow freely. To clean your gutters effectively, you will need to climb a ladder using a gutter shovel and scoop out the leaves and other debris. After all debris has been removed, flush the gutters with a hose and check the water flow. Many companies offer gutter cleaning services if you don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder.
2. Check Your Downspouts For Clogs
You should also inspect your downspouts to see if they are clogged. If your downspouts become clogged up with dirt, leaves, and other debris, water will not have a place to flow. This can cause water to back up or spill over the sides of the gutters during rainstorms. You can test the flow of water and remove any clogs with a garden hose fitted with a pressure nozzle if you cannot see into your downspouts.
3. Do the necessary maintenance
Visually inspect your gutters regularly by walking around your house. Are you able to detect any signs of corrosion or rust? Are your gutters dropping? Are there any cracks in your gutters? You may be able to seal leaks if you notice small cracks or holes. If you notice extensive damage or your gutters are beginning to fall away from your house, it may be necessary to hire a gutter repair service to install gutter brackets and replace damaged sections.
4. Install Gutter Guards for Your Gutters to Prevent Debris
Gutter guards will reduce the amount of time you need to spend cleaning your gutters. These devices are fitted over or inside gutters to stop leaves, twigs, and other debris from falling into gutters. Once you install gutter guards, all that is left to do is clean the debris and leaves off of the guards. No need to rinse and scoop the inside of your gutter.
5. Installing Downspout extensions is a good idea
Splash blocks are often found on downspouts, and they catch the water and direct it a few feet away from your house. If you don’t regularly check and reposition your splash blocks, water can pool around your home or crawlspace. Consider installing a downspout extension instead of the splash block. They are flexible tubes that can be connected to existing downspouts. The tubes should be placed in a way that water will flow away from the foundation of your home.
This post was written by a professional at Rain Gutter Medic. Rain Gutter Medic’s commitment to protecting your home starts with ensuring it has the best gutter system in place. Based in West Jordan, UT, they bring over 24 years of specialized experience in rain gutter installation, professional gutter cleaning near you, and gutter repair in UT for residential and commercial properties. https://rainguttermedic.com/ is dedicated to providing top-notch gutter services that safeguard your property and enhance its appearance and value.