subject: Proper Maintenance Of Gutters Is Critical [print this page] Gutters are an essential part of your homeGutters are an essential part of your home. However, many homeowners don't realize what their main function is, as well as what could happen if they aren't maintained properly. Your home's gutters will not just automatically function properly because they are installed onto your home. Just like any other part of your house, they need to be checked, cleaned, and taken care of on a regular basis. Since the gutters are not at eye level and are easily forgotten for that reason, it is imperative that you add cleaning gutters to your annual spring or fall clean-up list to ensure they are clear of any debris and able to perform as they should.
The Importance of Cleaning Gutters
It is critical to keep your home's gutters unclogged and working properly, or they can unfortunately do extensive damage to your house. Clogged gutters can be the cause of water problems in your basement and leave you with a hefty bill to repair the damages. The clogged gutters cannot take on the rain water and drain it away as it should. Instead, the rain water flows over the gutters and will accumulate around the foundation of your house. Excess water that sits around your house for an extended period will eventually weaken the house's footings and will lead to cracks in the foundation. Another situation you may encounter if your gutters are not kept clean and unclogged is the potential for animals and insect problems. If water is pooling in the gutters due to another area being clogged, it can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Also, birds or even mice may nest in the debris, which could pose another host of problems for your house.
Properly Cleaning Gutters
Cleaning gutters most likely wouldn't be on the top of your to do list or something you look forward to, nevertheless it needs to be a priority at some point during your spring or fall clean up. Once you get a handle on how to clean them, the process isn't that complicated. There are few safety precautions to keep in mind before you begin. It is wise to ask someone to help you. They will be able to hold the ladder and spot you. Wearing gloves will make certain that you won't cut your hands on sharp twigs or other objects that may be clogging the gutter. Making sure you have a long enough ladder that will reach the highest point of your roof, is essential. You want to make sure you are able to clean out all the of the house's gutters. Even missing a few spots could prove to be a major oversight down the road. Laying out a tarp on your lawn along the areas you will be cleaning gutters will enable you to dump the debris out of the gutters directly on top of the tarp for easy clean up. Your helper can assist with making sure the tarp in the correct spot as you move around the perimeter of the house. If you are not fond of heights or simply do not want to take on the dirty job, hiring a professional is also an option.
Fool Proofing your Gutters
There is currently a product on the market that can help with the maintenance and cleaning of your gutters. This product is called Gutter Helmet and it acts like an umbrella for debris. Basically, Gutter Helmet is a cover that is installed over your gutters to stop debris from entering the gutter and letting only rain water get through. This product was designed so consumers do not need to clean gutters as often, if ever.
