Gutter Care Summary
- Clean your gutters regularly – Debris like leaves and sticks can clog gutters and cause water damage if not removed. Clean them at least twice a year.
- Inspect your gutters for signs of wear – Look for peeling paint, rust spots, and leaks. Make repairs before problems get worse.
- Make sure gutters are properly sloped – Gutters should slope slightly towards downspouts so water can drain. Use a level to check the slope.
- Direct water at least 5 feet from your home’s foundation – Downspouts and extensions should move water away from your home’s foundation.
- Consider gutter guards – Guards prevent debris from entering gutters while still allowing water to flow through. Less maintenance may be needed.
- Check that downspouts are clear – Make sure downspouts are clear of debris so water can flow freely. Clogs can cause gutters to overflow.
- Seal any leaks – Use gutter sealant on small leaks. For larger issues, replace sections of damaged gutter.
- Make sure hangers and straps are secure – Loose gutters can pull away from the home. Check supports are firmly attached.
- Consider larger gutters if needed – Larger gutters may be needed for heavy rain. Consult a gutter company.
- Hire a pro for big jobs – Tasks like complete gutter replacement are best left to qualified professionals.
Deep Dive
Hey neighbor! Taking care of those gutters is so important for protecting our homes, but it’s easy to overlook them until there’s a problem. Let me walk through some key things you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining your gutters. I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 15 years now, and I’ve picked up a few tips along the way!
First up is cleaning your gutters regularly. I try to get out there at least twice a year – once in the fall after all the leaves have dropped, and again in the spring after winter debris has collected. If you have trees overhanging your home, you may need to clean them out more often. You’d be amazed what builds up over time – leaves, needles, sticks, and gunk. If it rains and that stuff is clogging the gutters, the water can back up and overflow, which you definitely don’t want.
Make sure you have a sturdy ladder so you can reach the whole length of the gutter. Wear gloves and scoop out debris with your hands or use a small trowel. I also find a stiff broom useful for stubborn gunk. Take your time and get all the corners. Once they are clear, turn on your garden hose for a bit and make sure water flows freely through the downspouts. Viola! You just gave yourself some nice protection against water damage and maybe even flooding into your basement if those clogged gutters overflow.
While you’re up there cleaning, check the gutters over thoroughly for any signs of wear or damage. Look for peeling paint, rust spots, cracked seams, and small leaks. Catching those issues early makes repairs a whole lot easier. If you do see any trouble spots, just mark them with tape so you remember. Later you can sand and repaint areas with paint peeling to protect that metal from rusting. For small leaks you can use gutter sealant to patch things up. I’ll talk more about bigger repairs in a bit.
Here’s another important tip – make sure your gutters are pitched slightly towards the downspouts so water will drain correctly. Use a level tool and check the slope. Usually about a 1⁄4 inch of drop for every 10 feet of gutter length is ideal. If any sections are too flat, you can purchase gutter shims from the hardware store. Just slip them under the gutter hangers to adjust the pitch.
Now let’s talk about where all that water goes when it runs off your roof – down those downspouts! First, add extensions to the bottom of your downspouts to move the water at least 5 feet away from your home’s foundation. Otherwise, it can pool around your basement and cause flooding or moisture damage. Second, make sure to direct the water where you want it to go – like toward a drain, rain garden, or low spot in your yard. Strategically placed landscaping stones or gravel around the extensions can help control erosion and splash back too.
You’ll also want to periodically check that your downspouts aren’t clogged up. It’s no good cleaning the gutters only to have backed up downspouts prevent proper drainage. You can often unkink them with a plumber’s snake or by reaching up from the bottom when they are empty. If the elbows come apart, check for debris inside and then reattach. Doing this sort of regular maintenance helps everything keep flowing.
Now on to leaks and loose gutters – two more areas that require some periodic attention for sure. For small gutter leaks less than a few inches, gutter sealant you can purchase at the hardware store will do the trick. Just clean the area thoroughly and apply according to package directions. You’ll want dry weather when sealing so it has time to cure properly.
Bigger leaks or sections where the gutters are pulling away require a little more work. First, figure out why it’s failing. Are hangers coming loose? Is something wrong with the roof edge? Once you’ve solved the underlying issue, you can patch metal gutters using gutter repair kits with metal plates and sealant. For eaves with rotten or damaged boards, carefully replace the bad sections with new boards before re-attaching the gutters.
This brings me to my next point – check those gutter hangers and straps regularly too. Movement over time can loosen things up. refasten any that are loose to keep the gutters snugly in place. You can also add more hangers for extra support if needed. A few strategically placed screws along seams can further secure metal gutters and minimize sagging.
Let’s switch gears a bit – when heavy rains are headed your way, take a walk around your house. Watch where the water flows off your roof and make sure the gutters aren’t overwhelmed. If you see them overflowing during storms no matter how clean they are, it may be time to consider upgrading to larger gutters. A 6 inch size handles more water than 5 inch gutters. Consult with a seamless gutter company on the best size and style for your home. They can also handle the installation work which I’ll get to shortly.
There are a few more interesting gutter upgrades I’ve seen around the neighborhood that are worth mentioning. Some folks have added gutter screens or gutter guards. These mesh covers fit over the top of your gutters and help keep out leaves and debris while still allowing water to flow in – genius! That means less time spent cleaning.
Of course if you have mature trees, pine needles and seeds can still find their way in. If that’s the case, gutter cleaning service providers can make quick work of the job from their ladders for a reasonable fee. Roofing companies also sometimes offer gutter cleaning as an add-on service when they are doing roof tune-ups.
Alright, let’s round things out with my last tip. When it comes to big gutter repairs or complete replacement, don’t be afraid to call in a professional! Taking on ladder work that involves carefully removing and re-attaching gutters can be challenging, and mistakes can be costly. The pros have the right tools and training to do the job right.
