With the crisp autumn winds blowing and leaves covering the ground, it’s time to focus on some important seasonal home maintenance. Among the beautiful fall scenery, one task that often gets overlooked is taking care of your gutters and downspouts. All those colorful leaves may create a picturesque view, but if you ignore them, they can certainly lead to plumbing issues. Clogged gutters can cause damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding, which is a headache you don’t need. Luckily, the solution is simple: clean your gutters and downspouts with regular maintenance.
At Kettering Plumbing & Drain, we’re pumped to share our expert insight and handy tips to help you protect your home by maintaining your gutters and downspouts.
HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS?
Knowing When Your Gutters and Downspouts Need Attention:
Keep an eye out for overflowing leaves, twigs, and debris as a clear sign that your gutters and downspouts need a cleanup. Also, if you notice water pooling around your home’s base after heavy rain, it’s a surefire indicator that action is required. The water should be draining properly, so if it’s pooling in certain areas, it’s likely that your gutters are clogged, causing water to spill out randomly.
Timing Is Everything:
To keep things in good shape, aim to clean your gutters at least twice a year. If trees surround your property, consider doing it three times. Spring and early fall are the best seasons for this job. But hey, if you haven’t gotten around to it just yet, no worries! It’s better to clear them out late than not at all. Actually, giving your gutters a clean in mid-November before winter hits isn’t a bad idea.
Gutter Cleaning Safety Precautions:
Safety is super important, so if you ever start feeling uneasy or unsafe while cleaning your gutters, just stop and don’t continue. You can always call in a pro for help if you need to. And if you decide to go the DIY route, make sure your ladder is secure and maybe get a friend to help stabilize the base. Please keep in mind that this does not apply to multi-story houses. So, if you have a two-story home, it’s probably best to leave this task to the pros who have the right gear and equipment to complete the job safely.
Gutters:
- Cleaning with a Ladder – Having someone to stabilize your ladder at the base to keep it steady is key when you’re dealing with gutter cleaning. Don’t forget to use gloves to protect your hands. A small brush may also be utilized to make leaf and debris removal a breeze.
- Cleaning from the Ground – When it comes to safety, the best way to clean your gutters is to keep both feet firmly on the ground. You can find handy tools like gutter cleaning wands and leaf blower attachments at any local home improvement store. This method ensures a safe and systematic cleaning process.
Downspouts:
Don’t forget about the downspouts, too! They’re equally important for the drainage system. First, disconnect the downspout extension from the base to get easy access. Then, clear out any loose leaves and debris that may be sticking out from the bottom of the vertical part and the downspout extension. Now, if the downspout isn’t too badly clogged, a garden hose can be a handy tool to flush out any leftover debris and loose bits. But if you’re dealing with some stubborn blockages, a plumbing snake is a handy tool to use in this situation.
As winter approaches, don’t underestimate the importance of cleaning out your gutters and downspouts. You definitely don’t want your gutters clogged with leaves, sticks, debris, and ice!
If you need any help with plumbing, feel free to reach out to us. At Kettering Plumbing & Drain, our top-notch customer service is just a phone call away. You can reach us today at (937) 764-3788 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!