The art of gutter cleaning

The gutters in your home are starting to overflow, so it is time to clean the gutters in your home. Many homeowners do this project each year to properly maintain their homes. What you may not realize is that most gutter systems need to be cleaned 3-4 times a year with each season. You may be wondering why I should clean my gutters so often. The reason is that each season the trees go through several cycles that can clog their channels.

In spring, most trees drop dead seedlings and twigs. Spring is also the best time to inspect the gutters for damage that may have occurred during the winter snow.

In summer, trees lose leaves due to strong storms and strong winds. In early fall, you must remove the leaves that have fallen early to keep your channels flowing freely. In late fall or early winter, you should make sure everything has been properly cleaned from the gutter system to help prevent ice buildup in the gutters. The extra weight of frozen water in the gutters can easily push them away from the fascia and, in many cases, fall out of the house. Improper gutter maintenance will cause clogged or damaged gutters and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home's foundation, exterior trim, and basement.

To properly clean your channels, rent a sturdy ladder and ask your neighbor to help you. Ladders can be rented at most local rental centers for as little as $ 40.00 per day. When using stairs, be sure to stay away from power lines, trees, and windows. It is a good idea to use a ladder stabilizer to make sure the ladder does not crush your gutters or slips while cleaning. Ladder stabilizers can be purchased at most hardware stores for around $ 30.00. Remember that your safety is more important than clean gutters, so be sure to find someone to help you. Thousands of people die each year from falls and electrocution while working on stairs.

If you have gutter screens or gutter guards, make sure they are not damaged or clogged with leaves and branches. They will not help protect the gutters if the water cannot penetrate them properly and the water can simply flow over them rendering them useless, even if the gutters are clean! Carefully lift the guards to avoid damaging them and remove the leaves or debris underneath them, and then reinstall them properly. You should run water on them to make sure they work properly. Check your downspouts to see if they have screens on top and also remove them. If necessary, use a hose to clean heavily clogged downspouts and be sure to replace any damaged gutter covers Kansas city  or downspouts. While cleaning the gutters, inspect them to make sure the fasteners are secure. This can usually be done with a hammer or, in some cases, with a screwdriver.

Over time, the tips that hold the aluminum to the fascia board may have become loose. Put loose spikes back in place or replace with longer ones to improve support. When the gutters are loose, the tone is changed and the water will overflow in the low areas. With your neighbor's help, this is also the perfect time to inspect your roof for missing shingles, cracked vent pipes, or bare nails. Be sure to return the favor and help him at home when you're done.