In this article, Camden Roofing & Construction will discuss how to perform routine gutter maintenance. Many people don’t give their gutters much care until there is a problem. But your drainage system is a crucial element of your house.
Gutter care is a major chore, and it is not always pleasant. However, it is crucial to the security of your house.
How to Maintain Your Gutters and Downspouts
Rust and corrosion can cause pinholes in your downspouts or gutters. Once identified, you can patch these pinholes to prevent additional leakage. It only takes roofing cement, a wire brush, and a putty knife to repair the holes. Besides, consider these measures:
- Make sure the damaged area is clean and dry before beginning repairs.
- Use a wire brush to scrub the openings.
- Cover the pinholes with a dab of roofing cement.
- Smooth the roofing cement with a putty knife so that debris and water can easily pass over it.
If your gutters have significant holes or leaks, investigate the end caps and seams first.
- To fix leaks at the joints, snug up the gutter lengths against each other. Then, apply gutter sealant in a bead along both sides of the seams.
- Fix leaks in the end caps by applying sealant along the joint inside.
- Use roofing cement (meant for repairing aluminum or fiberglass) to patch gaps in your gutters.
You will need a drill and a gutter hanger repair kit to fix or install new hangers. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when changing or installing new gutter hangers. Use the provided examples as guides.
- Mark where the screw and ferrule hangers need to be on the gutter. Drill holes in the gutter lip and fascia, and screw on the hanger.
- Follow the instructions on the package to install the screw-in or concealed hangers. These hangers often clip to the gutters inside front, and you will fasten them to the fascia board behind it.
- Does your roof not have a fascia board? Use gutter hangers with straps. Install them per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Typically, for strap gutter hangers, it is necessary to connect a hanger across the gutter channel, clip a strap to the hanger, and then connect the hanger beneath the shingles.
Most gutter issues are due to blocked gutters. But you may solve this issue with a thorough cleaning. You may want to do this yourself or have someone else do it. However, it is much safer to hire a professional for this job.
It is best to wait until the weather warms up before cleaning the gutters or going up on the roof. Both tasks may be hazardous if you do them in the cold.
Steps to Clean Your Gutters Properly
Equipment needed for gutter cleaning includes:
- A sturdy ladder
- Thick work gloves
- A tiny plastic shovel.
- A garden hose long enough to reach the roof.
- Safety goggles
When you need to reach a higher level, having a buddy to help by holding and moving the ladder is necessary. Also, you may need a protective cover and a bucket if you don’t want the trash to get all over your grass and plants.
Start with a downspout to keep track of your progress as you clean and maintain your gutters.
- Remove trash by scooping it up with a plastic shovel or trowel and dumping it into your bucket or on the tarp. Start at one end and go away from the downspout.
- Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to remove any leftover dirt and grime. Open the hose and flush out the gutter until you’ve reached the end of the gutter opposite the downspout. The water and debris should pour out the opposite end’s spout.
- Set up your ladder next to a gutter’s downspout and lay a tarp beneath the section of the gutter you will work on.
- Hang a tool bucket and an empty bucket from the top rung of the ladder. Remove heavy debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) with gloved hands and a trowel, then deposit it in the empty bucket. Start at one end and go away from the downspout.
- If water is pooling, it might be because there are clogs in your downspouts. Double-check the top of the downspout. Likewise, the debris may block a downspout strainer if your gutters have one. If your downspout is clogged, start at the bottom, and work your way up.
- Once you have gained access, push the spray nozzle of your garden hose all the way up into the spout and turn on the water. The rushing water ought to wash away the debris. If it does not work, you may need to resort to more drastic measures, such as using a plumbing snake tool.
- If you took anything apart or loosened anything while working on the downspout, put it back together.
- Flush the gutters using the hose and nozzle attachment one more time, working from the other end of the downspout.
After finishing the job, check your gutters and downspouts on the following rainy day to ensure everything was cleaned and mended correctly.
For more information, contact Camden Roofing & Construction, LLC in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC at 919-729-5050.
