Gutter maintenance is often overlooked by homeowners until it’s too late and costly damage occurs.…
Tips for Spring Cleaning Clarksville Gutters and Roofs
Each year as the ice and snow chances recede with the change of season, spring cleaning signals a time for homeowners to take stock of their yards and their homes- and in particular, their Tennessee roofs and gutters. Ice and snow can cause damage to shingles during the winter months, and a buildup of leaves and other debris can cause gutters to clog and sag. Gutters play a vital role in redirecting water away from your home’s roof, siding, soffits, and foundation. It pays to ensure your gutters are ready to handle the spring rains and summer storms.
Inspecting Your Roof for Winter Damage
Aside from brushing away any large pieces of debris that could lead to clogs in gutters, running the following diagnostic checks on your roof will alert you to any red flags that could require a professional assessment:
- Visually survey your roof for worn or missing shingles, hail damage, or signs of rot
- Shine a flashlight into your gutters to check for blockage
- Check for signs of water damage (chipped paint, waterlogged wood, or discoloration) beneath your home’s eaves
- Walk the perimeter of your home’s foundation to check for holes or gullies caused by water
Taking pictures and documenting your findings will allow you to obtain a more accurate estimate from a certified Clarksville roof and gutter company.
Don’t Forget Your Gutters
Your gutters truly are the unsung heroes of your roof, even if they’re hardly noticeable from the street. A properly functioning gutter system protects your home by diverting rainwater and snowmelt away from your home, preventing soil erosion and wood rot that can damage your roof, fascia board, sidings, and foundation. It’s advisable to clean and flush out your gutters twice a year to maintain their longevity, at the start of spring and the end of fall, to avoid costly repairs from water or mold damage.
How to Check for Gutter Damage
Keep an eye out for sagging gutters, pools of water near the foundation, water stains on the siding below the gutters, and loose gutter pins. Loose gutter pins and sagging gutters are signs of damage to the fascia board – addressing this early on will prevent more costly damage later. When gutters sag, more water will spill and accelerate damage to your home’s siding and foundation.
Cleaning Your Gutters
There are no two ways about it, gutter cleaning is a vital – but dirty – job. While no specialized knowledge or tools are required, the following tips can help make the process a little bit simpler:
- Choose the right gloves. While you can use a hand trowel or even a plastic cup to remove debris, oftentimes scooping by hand is easier, particularly when clearing debris under gutter hangers (the supports running along the top side of the gutter). Waterproof, machine-washable, and splinter-resistant gloves will make the job easier.
- Pre-soak your gutters and use a hand trowel. Spraying your gutters with a hose and allowing them to soak for a half hour before cleaning will make it easier to remove any caked debris from the bottom of your gutters. Using a hand trowel can help with scooping the debris away, as hand trowels have flattened sides.
- Start with the drainpipes. Using a hose with a high-flow nozzle, spray water down the drainpipes to clear any debris and check for blockages mid-pipe. By clearing the drainpipes first, you’ll ensure no backups occur when cleaning the rest of your gutters.
- Bring a bag with you. Gutter debris can be dirty and less than pleasant-smelling. Rather than scooping your gutter debris onto your yard, using a bag to collect the debris as close to the source as possible will save you cleaning time. Line a painter’s bucket with a heavy-duty plastic bag and hang it from your ladder while you clean.
Invest in Gutter Guards
If you don’t have them already, having a professional team install a Clarksville gutter guard system is the more surefire way to eliminate the need for routine gutter cleaning. Gutter guards are a plastic or metallic mesh that allow water to pass through while preventing larger debris from building up and causing a clog. These guards make gutter cleaning a thing of the past.
Contact the Gutter Pros for a free estimate on an inspection or gutter guard installation.
