Roof It Forward - Cleaning And Maintaining The Gutters On Your Home

Your gutters can easily be forgotten about. However, your gutter system is an integral part of keeping your home and roof safe. This important role causes the need for regular cleaning and maintenance. Continue reading to learn more about cleaning and maintaining the gutters in your home.

Cleaning Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters mainly includes removing any debris from your gutters. Debris is composed of leaves and branches that can eventually clog your gutter system, preventing it from not working correctly. Since gutters are designed to move water from your roof down to the ground, an obstruction can cause an overflow of water. This overflow can then flow onto the foundation of your home, and damaging your foundation can cause an expensive repair. The water flow could also cause mold and mildew growth. The weight of debris could also cause your gutters to sag, crack, and fall off your roof, which can cause significant damage.

You should have your gutters cleaned in the spring and fall each year to make sure all the debris is removed. Many injuries can happen when on a ladder trying to clean out your gutters. Instead of putting your safety at risk, hire a gutter cleaning company for the job.

Maintaining Your Gutters

Annual maintenance on your gutters will help increase their lifespan. Regular inspections will also help spot any areas of concern early on before it is a costly and extensive repair. However, it is important to know the signs of whether your gutters need to be repaired or replaced.

- Cracks and splits will allow water to seep through and cause damage to the fascia boards that connect your gutters to your roof, your shingles, and your foundation. Any split or cracked sections need to be replaced.

- Any peeling paint or spots of rust are signs that there is water overflowing out of your gutters so check for any clogs and repair the damaged piece of gutter.

- Pools of water near your foundation and any mold or mildew growth are other signs of the overflow of water. First, check for any clogs that could be causing the overflow. If the problem continues, the gutter and downspout should be replaced.

- Any signs of water damage on the exterior of your house are a sign that there is a leak in your gutters or they are overflowing. This can result in a repair or replacement depending on the cause.

- Sagging gutters could be caused by a multitude of reasons. The main solution is to have the gutters replaced.

To perform the maintenance, you can hire a roofing company for annual maintenance inspections. They will be able to check for any possible issues and make a repair or replacement before extensive damage is caused.

Your gutter system is an essential part of your roof and requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Our team at Roof It Forward offers a free video roof inspection to make sure all elements of your roof are in good shape, including your gutter system. We also offer gutter screens and helmets. Schedule your free inspection today.