3 Easy Ways To Maintain Your Gutters
Having new gutters installed is a wise investment because quality gutters effectively direct water and debris away from your home, preventing costly water damage. In order to keep your new gutters in great working order for years to come, it's important to practice some basic preventative maintenance. Here are a few important ways to maintain your new gutters:
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Most experts recommend you clean your gutters at least twice a year, but more often if you have a lot of trees near your home, and especially if you have pine trees. If you are comfortable on a ladder, you can clean your gutters yourself. Be sure to wear work gloves and simply climb up on the ladder and remove the leaves and debris with your hands. You can also hire a local gutter repair and cleaning company to do this for you, which saves time and tends to be more thorough.
Check Your Gutters for Leaks
When your gutters have been thoroughly cleaned out, you can rinse them with a hose, which gets rid of the leftover dirt and also allows you to easily see if you have any leaks. Even newer gutters can crack from time to time.
You will want to have the leaks fixed immediately, since cracked gutters can easily lead to costly water damage to your roof, siding, and even your home's foundation. You can repair small leaks using a leak repair kit (usually made from silicone) from your local home improvement store. When faced with a big crack or when in doubt, it's always wise to hire a professional to tackle gutter-related repairs.
Don't Forget Your Downspouts
In order for your gutters to do their job, you need good downspouts in the right places. The water and debris that is directed away from your roof via your gutters should be pushed outward away from your home through the downspouts. If water is pooling near the downspouts, you may need to add downspout extenders.
Your downspouts can also get clogged with debris, so be sure to rinse them out with water when you clean your gutters. Downspouts can crack and wear out over time, so it's a good idea to have them replaced as well now that you have new gutters.
By taking great care of your gutters, you will extend their lifespan while also helping to protect your home from water damage. Contact a business like Alaka'i Raingutters & Supplies for more information.
