Fall gutter guide: Keep your home safe and dry
Steel and PVC gutters often go unnoticed after installation. However, neglecting them is a mistake because they require regular maintenance to function properly. Fortunately, maintaining them is not difficult.
6:21 PM EDT, September 25, 2024
Fall is the time when falling leaves from trees can cause significant problems with the gutter system. Leaves, branches, and other debris can accumulate in the gutters, blocking water flow. Over time, this can lead to damage and leaks. Therefore, it's worth regularly checking and cleaning the gutters, especially during the fall season, to avoid unpleasant surprises. In this article, you will learn how to properly care for your gutters to ensure they are effective and durable, especially during heavy rainfall.
Why is it worth cleaning the gutters?
The most crucial aspect of gutter maintenance is cleaning them. This should be done regularly, especially in the fall when most leaves fall into the gutters. Throughout the year, other debris, such as sand, dust, or moss, can also collect there.
It is essential to be cautious during cleaning. Aggressive methods can scratch or damage the gutters and disrupt their mounts, a risk exceptionally high in older constructions.
How to maintain the gutters?
Gutter maintenance is simple and may be limited to checking for tightness during the initial years of use. Occasionally, it's helpful to flood the gutters with water from a garden hose and observe whether water leaks through any possible gaps.
Improper gutter slopes, resulting from incorrect installation or mechanical damage, can also be problematic. For example, hitting the gutter with a ball during play can change its slope. If water doesn't drain correctly, it can accumulate in one place, leading to overflow and damage to the facade.
Repairing gutters is not complicated. To fix the gutter slope, you need to level it manually on the mounts. In the case of mechanical damage, seal the leaks using products available in hardware stores, such as bitumen, rubber, or silicone. Before use, it's advisable to read the manufacturer's instructions to avoid mistakes.
How to repair gutters?
Particular attention should be paid to any scratches in steel gutters, as they can lead to corrosion. The surface should be cleaned and protected with the appropriate rust-proof paint to prevent this.
