Do you have gutters? It’s time to clean them!

Leaves have fallen and we are gearing up for cold weather. Cleaning your gutters is crucial to keeping your home in good shape.

Gutters and downspouts get clogged with debris throughout the year. This could be from leaves, twigs, or build up and it happens to just about everyone, especially if you have a lot of trees surrounding your home. When this happens, gutters essentially become useless and aren’t correctly doing their job. The weight of the debris can cause them to sag against the fascia and often this is where we see water penetration into the structure of the home. We’re even seeing cases where basements are wet due to the gutters being clogged.

It is also recommended to check for leaks and holes. These can be sealed up by caulking the inside of the gutter. Small holes can be filled by gutter sealant and larger holes will probably require a patch.

Also, check your downspouts. Are they draining too close to your foundation? Downspouts need to extend several feet away from the house. If not, they’ll dump the water seeps into the basement.

We recommend cleaning your gutters and downspouts at least once a year after the leaves have fallen, or twice if you have a lot of trees surrounding your home. You can do it yourself or you can hire a local contractor. Or speak with us about having this done!

There are different ways to clean your gutters including using a leaf blower, a pressure washer or by hand. This all depends on how often you’ve cleaned your gutters or the amount of debris. There’s likely a build-up of dirt or leaves which have created a mushy mess, along with twigs.

You’re not alone – cleaning out your gutters every year can seem tedious or insignificant. But that being said, it could prevent costly damage in the future. If you are sick of cleaning them, look into getting screens attached or leaf guards! There are plenty of options out there. Speak with us about options to help you!