Cleaning gutters is a chore that most people aren’t all that excited to get done. However, by cleaning your gutters at least twice a year you can really help extend the life of your home through keeping water away from the foundation and from running down the sides of the house and damaging the exterior.
Most gutters are made out of aluminum, which is lightweight and very resistant to any type of water damage or corrosion. However, when organic and inorganic materials clog up the flow of water down the gutters and downspouts they can become damaged, loose and even separate at locations where the gutters are joined.
Gutter Toppers
You can choose to use a gutter topper or a gutter cover system that is a finer strainer type of attachment that goes over the top of the actual gutter itself. This prevents material from plugging up the gutter and allows larger items to simply blow or wash off the roof where they can be easily collected.
Cleaning Tips for Gutters in Bismarck ND
If your gutters don’t have a topper, here are a few simple tips to keep them clean year round:
1. Frequent cleaning, especially in the fall when leaves collect in the gutters, allows you to use a simple garden hose and spray nozzle. If you allow the gutters to fill up completely you will need to actually remove the debris by hand.
2. Avoid using high pressure washer systems on older gutters as this can cause damage and increase the chance of leaks developing at joints and around drain spouts.
3. Clean the drain spout first if you are using the water method. This allows the water to flush rapidly through the gutter and drain spout, limiting the risk of additional clogs.
4. Disconnect the downspout from any drains and allow the water to flow on the ground. Flushing all that junk down the drain pipe could just be pushing the clog further down and creating more problems.
If you have any questions about your gutters in Bismarck ND, talk to a professional roofing company. They can provide you with options for gutter toppers or covers that will mean that you never have to clean your gutters again.
