subject: Gutters Should Be Cleaned Regularly [print this page] Cleaning your gutters is not a fun taskCleaning your gutters is not a fun task. It can be painful, frustrating, and very difficult. Cleaning your gutters can also be dangerous if it isn't done correctly. However, getting your gutters cleaned on a regular basis is a crucial part of home maintenance.
What Are Gutters?
Gutters are an elaborate drainage system that most houses are equipped with. Your gutters can be found at the edge of your roof. They are specially formulated trays, which collect the water that runs off your roof and directs water to a downspout, which removes the water from the areas around your home. Without gutters, rain and other precipitation would flow off the surface of your roof and collect immediately around your home's foundation. This could cause serious problems, such as foundation settling, and even flooding.
Why They Need to be Cleaned
Cleaning your gutters is very important. If you fail to clean your gutters, several problems can occur. First, your gutters can become clogged with leaves or twigs. Animals may build nests in your gutters, which can quickly cause clogs in rainy weather. When a clog occurs, your gutter system will back up and will fail to drain properly. Instead of water rushing down your downspout and away from your home, it will spill over the edge of your gutter system and seep down into the ground next to your home.
This can cause foundation issues, and even flooding. In the winter months, water that flows off your roof in the daytime can become backed up in your gutter system. When the sun sets and the temperatures drop below freezing, this water can freeze and become too heavy for your gutters to handle. The entire gutter system can come crashing down if this occurs. If you see huge icicles on your gutter system in the winter, you know you have a gutter cleaning issue.
How to Clean Them
If you understand the importance of keeping your gutters clean and free of debris, and you notice that it has been awhile since you have removed the muck and buildup from your gutters, you might want to schedule a day to tackle the project. It is very important to keep safety in mind when you are cleaning gutters. Thousands of consumers each year have life threatening accidents by falling off of roofs while cleaning their gutters. To avoid these dangers, you should wear comfortable shoes with a thick tread that will improve your traction on your roof.
You should also clean your gutters on days when your roof is dry and when the wind is not blowing too hard. When you clean your gutters, you will need a few useful tools. A small spade or trowel will help you to rake up leaves and twigs that have accumulated in your gutters. You may also need a snaking tube to help you remove leaves that have accumulated in your downspout. Finally, heavy duty rags and scrub brushes will help you to scrape and scrub away accumulated debris and dirt. You should try to clean your gutters once every year to prevent any clogs from occurring. The easiest way, however, is to contact your local home improvement company who can do the job for you.
