Your gutters take care of
your house, but who's taking care of the gutters?
Cleaning and maintaining
your gutters is just as important as changing the oil in your car.
Why Gutters Need Cleaning
When your gutters get
clogged, you'll see waterfalls pouring from their edges in warmer weather, and
icicles glittering along the bottom in winter. That's not the worst of it.
Improperly cleaned and maintained gutters can lead to:
Water leaks inside your
ceiling and adjoining walls: Water exerts a tremendous amount of pressure. Like
most things, it will find the path of least resistance. For some homeowners,
this spells water damage inside the ceiling and walls (which leads to further
problems).
Siding issues: Invading
water can lead to mold and rotting wood – not what you want inside your home's
walls. Unfortunately, by the time the damage becomes obvious, it's typically
too late.
Damaged or detached
gutters: The weight of waterlogged debris can cause gutter attachments to give,
resulting in a fallen gutter.
Basement and foundation
damage: Water is relentless. If it doesn't drain away from your house properly,
it can flood the basement or crack the foundation. It won't get better without
repair.
Tips for Cleaning Your Gutters
Most homeowners need to
clean their gutters twice a year. First, in October, or when the trees are
almost done shedding their leaves. Late spring is another good time, if a
second cleaning is needed. If they haven't been cleaned for a very long time,
the job may be more difficult. Keep several tips in mind when cleaning gutters:
Wear leather gloves and
long sleeves while cleaning your gutters to protect your hands and arms. You
may encounter sharp edges, hidden screw ends, or other hazards.
Spread plastic sheeting
over shrubs and decorations you do not want exposed to the cleaning.
Position a wheelbarrow,
trash bin, tarp or plastic sheeting on the ground under your work area. Throw
the debris onto the tarp instead of carrying a garbage bag up the ladder with
you.
Set up your ladder on a
stable area near a corner of the house (close to a downspout). Never stand
above the third step from the top of a ladder or reach more than a couple of
feet to the sides to prevent falling.
Avoid resting the ladder
against the gutters. Use standoff stabilizers (ladder horns) to keep the weight
off the gutters if needed.
Starting at the corner
downspout, work away from it, scooping out any leaves, dirt and debris.
Scrub inside the gutter,
if needed, with a soft- or wire-bristled brush.
Flush the gutters, using
a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle in order to create water pressure.
Move the water through the gutters and out the downspouts.
Snake any downspout that
appears clogged.
Clean the outside of the
gutter, using hot, soapy water, and wash away any splatter or spills on the
siding.
Gutter Maintenance and Repair
Slow down the debris
accumulation in your gutters to make maintenance and cleaning easier. Some
repair and maintenance tasks you may be able to perform yourself include the
following:
Adjust the gutter slope
if water doesn't flow readily and the downspouts are clear. Gutters should run
downhill toward the downspouts at a rate of ¼ inch per 10 feet of travel.
Install mesh screens or a
leaf-catching system. If you decide to buy one of these systems, be sure to get
a type that can be easily removed when it's time to clean the gutters.
Check the gutter system
every time you clean it. Look for rust, leaks, or loose connections. Watch for
signs of water leaks into the house, dry rot of surrounding wood, or other
damage.
To fix small holes, leaks
or loose connections, use silicone caulk or gutter sealant as directed.
If your house is taller
than two stories, consider hiring a professional. Get estimates from three
companies before choosing the one you want to work with.
Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,
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