Fall gutter maintenance
It’s time again to inspect your gutters, especially given the warm weather we are having! Gutter maintenance can circumvent a variety of issues throughout the winter months.
Gutter Screens
Installing gutter screens can dramatically reduce regular gutter maintenance. If you have gutter screens, make sure screens are secure and they are stable enough to withstand heavy ice and snow later in the season.
Here come the leaves!
If you live in an area with a lot of trees close to the house and have open (unscreened) gutters, leaves and debris will likely build up in your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause a number of problems including ice dams which can be very destructive. Click here to learn more about Ice Dams.
DIY Gutter Maintenance
If you are handy, climb up a ladder and scoop out all leaves and debris. While you are up there, inspect the gutters for missing or loose connections and mountings. Any loose or missing parts should be repaired right away. Keep in mind, you may need to clear out gutters again once all the trees are bare. The important thing is that you inspect and clear gutters before the snow begins to fall.
Don’t forget the downspouts.
You can test downspouts for blockages by hoisting a hose up to the gutter. Place the hose at the mouth of the downspout and watch to see that the water pours out quickly at the bottom. If not, you will need to unclog the downspout.
There are a number of methods for clearing downspouts. Conduct a YouTube search, you will find a number of good DIY examples. If you have a powerful leaf blower, you can use it on the bottom mouth of the downspout, turn it on (full power) and it may dislodge the clog. But beware, the debris will shoot up and out of the top, so some cleanup work will follow.
Hire A Professional or Handyman
Of course, you can always hire a company to come out and do this for you. Either way, get your fall gutter maintenance done before winter to protect your home from costly damage.
Attic Air
This is a helpful tip for homeowners from Attic Air. We offer attic insulation and ventilation products to homeowners in the Chicago Metro Area. Call us today at 630.830.3870