Gutter Cleaning & Maintenance
Your gutters play a vital role in your home maintenance. They make sure to supply proper drainage from rain and move water away from your home’s foundation and basement. Since they are in constant use, it’s easy for your gutters to become clogged or dirty.
It isn’t difficult to clean gutters, but it’s easy to put it off as an “I’ll do it later” type of chore. However, putting off cleaning or replacing your gutters can do more harm than good. If your gutters become clogged with debris, it could lead to severe damage to the interior and exterior of your home, including mold growth and water damage.
Gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year, primarily in the spring or fall, when leaves and other debris are most likely to clog.
Here are a few tips when it comes to maintaining and updating your gutters!
How do I properly clean my gutters?
To properly clean your gutters, you will need three things: a ladder, a water hose, and a small shovel or trowel. Use the trowel to remove the majority of debris and the hose to clean the area once you’re done. The hose will also allow you to see if there are any cracks or splits in the gutters, which is a sign you should definitely replace them. There are various types of hoses that are specially made for cleaning gutters and can be found at any home maintenance store.
What do I need to know about gutter maintenance?
Gutter maintenance depends on the material your gutters are made of. Aluminum or vinyl gutters should be cleaned more frequently due to the possibility of rust forming. If you have wooden gutters, they need to be painted and cleaned regularly to make sure they stay good as new. No matter what the material, it is always a good idea to clean your gutters regularly to keep debris from building up and blocking proper water expulsion. Keep in mind that having blocked gutters in the winter can lead to further damage due to pipes and debris freezing.
How do I know if my gutters need to be replaced?
There are many signs that your gutters need to be replaced. Cracks and splits in the pipes mean your gutters are too worn and cannot hold up against heavy weather. If your gutters are showing signs of paint damage or rust, this can lead to blocking issues that can harm the foundation of your home. The most significant sign you need to replace your gutters is if you see signs of water damage or mold caused by pools of water. This can lead to watermarks that damage the interior or exterior of your home or worse.
While nobody enjoys cleaning gutters, it is a necessary part of home maintenance. If you feel your gutters need to be replaced, contact us at Ridgeline Construction. We would be happy to help protect your home from unnecessary water damage.
