Don’t Neglect Your Gutters

Throughout the fall season, it’s hard not to have the constant presence of fallen leaves to remind us of the weekend house work we have to do. Although a freshly swept yard comes with a since of accomplishment, your leaf clearing and home maintenance doesn’t end there. Every homeowner needs to remember the sometimes yucky task of cleaning out your gutters. Since it’s out of sight, it’s often out of mind; however it’s important that you don’t neglect them for a number of reasons.

The obvious effect of gutters full of is overflowing gutters, but what may not be so obvious is how this prolonged overflowing can cause serious damage. Take a look at this list of problems you could be facing with clogged gutters:

• Leaks and flooding: I’ve seen homeowners with water in their basement, water streaming down a living room wall and everything in between.
• Mildew and mold: Not only do you have to worry about the gutters themselves getting skuzzy, but the interior of your house that was subject to leaks is also prone to mold.
• Erosion: If severe enough, damaged gutters can rust out causing your whole system to fail

So how do you properly maintain gutters? It takes more than just washing down the gutters with a garden hose.  You need to get your hands dirty and scoop out all of the caked in, soggy leaves and debris.  Depending on how many trees you have close to the house I recommend to do this a few times throughout the fall season. At the end of the fall when all of the leaves have fallen, do a more thorough clean to make sure nothing is blocking the gutters and downspouts before the temperature dips below freezing. A combination of debris and ice can do serious gutter damage. Remember to periodically check the gutters at other points in the year as well.

If getting your hands dirty in this fashion is not something that you want to take on every year, consider getting some type of gutter cover installed. My brand I typically install when providing handyman services in Northeast Georgia is Gutter Guards, but there are many brands available that are similar in construction, installation, and color to coordinate with your home’s exterior. Not only will they take away nearly all of the ongoing of cleaning out your gutters, but future potential buyers will also appreciate the extra step in making your home lower maintenance.