Keeping your gutters clean is essential to maintaining your home. If your gutters get clogged, they can back up, crack, or leak. If gutters back up, that can push water into the wall of your home. Cracked or leaking gutters can deposit water, which can leak into your home’s foundation. That can cause massive foundation damage over time.
Gutters can become clogged with leaves, foliage of all kinds, animal nests, and many other things. Cleaning the gutters during the summer is easy, and it will ensure that your gutters are ready for the wet fall weather ahead. Use these tips to make sure your gutters are clean this summer:
Check For Nests And Pests
To clean out your gutters, you should first check them for any nests or pests. Birds and rodents may make nests because they think your gutters are a fine place to sleep or raise their babies. But those nests can clog your gutters or make them sink under the weight of the nest.
You could also have wasp nests and other potentially dangerous pests in your gutters. There could even be snakes in there, depending on where you live. They may eventually move into your home if you don’t get them out of your gutters.
Look for actual nests in the gutters or signs that pests have been in there, like droppings, nest material, or shed skin. Call a professional pest control company immediately to safely remove any signs of animals or insects having nested in the gutters.
Clean Gutters Inside And Out
Once you have ensured there are no pests, animals, or insects in the gutter, clean them out. Get in there with a cleaning solution and bucket and wash the gutters inside and out. Use a wire brush to remove algae growing inside the gutter. After you have scrubbed the gutters, rinse them with a hose.
Look For Damage
After the gutters are sparkling clean, check them carefully for any signs of damage. The things you should be looking for include:
- Rust
- Cracks
- Chips
- Loose joints
- Holes
Or any damage that could cause the gutter to malfunction or break. A great way to check for small cracks or holes is to run water from the hose through the gutter and watch how it travels.
Contact A Local Professional
If you notice spots where the gutters are weak, you should contact Salemi Exteriors for an inspection and a professional repair before the fall weather starts. Their professional gutter technicians can assess your gutters and tell you what repairs should be made to ensure the gutters work correctly.
If you need help ensuring your gutters are ready for the fall, call us today at 978.804.5972 to schedule a free estimate.
