Your house gutters are starting to overflow, so it’s time to clean your house gutters. Many homeowners do this project every year to properly maintain their homes. What you may not realize is that most gutter systems need to be cleaned 3-4 times a year with each season. You may be wondering why I should clean my gutters so often. The reason is that each season the trees go through several cycles that can clog the gutters.
In spring, most trees shed dead seedlings and twigs. Spring is also the best time to inspect your gutters for damage that may have occurred during the winter snow.
In summer, the trees lose their leaves due to strong storms and strong winds. In early fall, you should remove the fallen leaves early so that the gutters can flow freely Gutter Cleaning Langley. In late fall or early winter, you’ll want to make sure everything has been properly cleaned out of the gutter system to help prevent ice build-up or ice build-up in the gutters. The added weight of frozen water in the gutters can easily detach them from the fascia and, in many cases, fall out of the house. Improper gutter maintenance will cause your gutters to become clogged or damaged and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home’s foundation, exterior trim, and basements.
To clean your gutters properly, rent a sturdy ladder and ask your neighbor to help you out. Stairs can be rented at most local rental centers for as little as $ 40.00 a day. When using ladders, be sure to stay away from power lines, trees, and windows. It’s a good idea to use a ladder stabilizer to make sure the ladder doesn’t crush the gutters or slip while cleaning. Ladder stabilizers can be purchased at most hardware stores for about $ 30.00. Remember that your safety is more important than cleaning the gutters, so make sure someone helps you. Thousands of people die each year from falls and electrocution while working on ladders.
If you have gutter grates or gutter guards, make sure they are not damaged or clogged with leaves and branches. They will not help protect the gutters if water cannot get into them properly and water can flow over them rendering them useless, even if the gutters are clean! Carefully lift the guards to avoid damaging them and remove the sheets or debris underneath them and then reinstall them properly. You should run water over them to make sure they are working properly. Check your downspouts to see if they have screens on top and clean them too. If necessary, use a hose to clean heavily clogged downspouts and be sure to replace any damaged gutters or downspout grates. As you clean your gutters, inspect them to make sure the fasteners are secure. This can usually be done with a hammer or, in some cases, a screwdriver.
You may find that over time, the spikes that hold the aluminum to the fascia board have come loose. Put loose spikes back in place or replace with longer ones to improve support. When the gutters are loose, the tone changes and the water overflows in the lower areas. With the help of your neighbor, this is also the perfect time to inspect your roof for missing shingles, cracked vent pipe joints, or bare nails. Be sure to return the favor and help him around his house when he’s done.