As autumn continues with its brisk winds and falling leaves, it becomes crucial to shift our focus to home maintenance tasks. With winter approaching, one often overlooked yet vital aspect is the maintenance of gutters and downspouts during the fall season. As trees shed their leaves, they can quickly accumulate in gutters, potentially causing clogs and blockages. Neglecting this maintenance chore can lead to expensive damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding. Water damage is a risk not worth taking, especially when it can be prevented with a simple gutter and downspout cleaning.
Today, Centerville Plumbing & Drain offers practical tips to ensure your home remains protected and in peak condition during this beautiful but demanding season.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS NEED ATTENTION?
Leaves and debris, including twigs, branches, and other outdoor elements, overflowing from your gutters and downspouts, serve as evident indicators that your gutters require cleaning. Another unmistakable sign is the accumulation of water around the foundation of your home following heavy rainfall.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS?
It is recommended to clean your gutters at least twice a year, although we highly recommend cleaning them three times a year, if possible, especially if your house is surrounded by trees. The general guideline is once in the spring and once in the early fall. However, we understand that time can easily slip away from us. This time of the year tends to be busy, so if you haven’t had the chance to give some attention to your gutters and downspouts, there’s no need to worry. It’s not too late! And remember, it’s always better to take care of it later than never at all.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS:
- Safety Procedures – Ensuring safety is of utmost importance. If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable while performing this task, please cease immediately and refrain from proceeding further. If necessary, you can always contact a professional to assist you with gutter cleaning.
- Ladder – Step ladders are known for their tendency to become unbalanced. As an alternative, it would be prudent to utilize a sturdy extension ladder. Moreover, it is advisable to have a second individual stationed at the base to provide stability and support while cleaning the gutters. If you opt for this method, using gloves or a small brush is the most efficient way to remove leaves and debris swiftly. However, please bear in mind that this recommendation is exclusively applicable to single-story homes. For residences with two or more stories, it is highly recommended to entrust the task to professionals who possess the appropriate equipment to execute the job safely.
- Tools – Cleaning gutters with both feet on the ground is considered the safest method. You can purchase a gutter cleaning wand or a leaf blower attachment from your local home improvement store, which will facilitate a gradual and systematic cleaning process. While this approach is tried and tested, it also ensures a safe and effective outcome.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOWNSPOUTS:
Now that the gutters have been attended to, it is time to proceed with the downspouts. They also require our attention. Prior to commencing, kindly disconnect the downspout extension from its base. Once completed, the vertical section of the spout will be accessible. Proceed by removing any loose leaves and debris from both the end of the vertical portion and the previously detached downspout extension. If the downspout is moderately obstructed, employing a water hose for further flushing may be appropriate. This action will effectively eliminate any remaining debris and loose particles. In the event of a severely blocked downspout, a plumbing snake can prove to be a useful tool, too.
With winter just around the corner, it is important to take the time now to prepare your gutters and downspouts for the upcoming weather. While it may seem like a small task, preventing blockage from snowmelt and inclement weather is crucial to avoid water damage. We strongly advise against taking any chances when it comes to your home.
If you require the services of a reputable plumbing company, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and addressing all your plumbing needs with the utmost professionalism. You can reach Centerville Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 240-0169 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
