Gutter maintenance is a shared responsibility between the homeowner and their gutter professional. In this post, Roof Masters takes a look at some common gutter maintenance mistakes that you can avoid and help keep your gutters in great shape.
Gutters need to be cleaned at least once a year to ensure unimpeded flow. Leaves and other debris can clog up the gutter troughs and lead to overflow and slow drainage and overflow. Since the purpose of gutters is to prevent rainwater from damaging the house foundations, preventative measures like cleaning the gutters regularly can go a long way in keeping your house in its best condition. You can choose to clean the gutters yourself or have them cleaned by professionals. If you choose the former, make sure that you’re using proper cleaning and safety equipment.
Gutter protection systems or covers are installed over gutter troughs. They separate rainwater from leaves and debris, helping keep the gutter troughs clear. Depending on the design, gutter protection systems can either filter the top of the gutters or let solid matter fall to the ground where you can sweep them later. With reduced maintenance requirements, you won’t have to clean your gutters as often, and they will be less vulnerable to problems caused by standing water, like corrosion and leaking joints. We at Roof Masters offer Leaf Away and Leaf Relief gutter protection systems.
Regular inspections allow you to spot potential gutter problems and have them fixed by a gutter professional as soon as possible. Putting off repairs for later will only expose the gutters to further wear, resulting in costly repairs.
The downspouts are just as important as the gutter troughs, yet they are often overlooked. Clogged downspouts are harder to spot because their insides are not as visible, but you can check by simulating rainfall on the roof using a garden hose — water should flow freely at the ends. If they terminate too close to the house, you can install downspout extensions.
Ultimately, the steps described above can help you avoid bigger problems down the road. Just as important is calling a gutter professional like Roof Masters when repairs are needed. Call us today at (301) 230-7663 today or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.