Throughout the year, Indiana residents get their fair share of rain. Because of this, it’s crucial to maintain healthy gutters. The main purpose for gutters is to reroute the water from the roof and away from the home. By having properly functioning gutters, they protect your siding, windows, doors and even the homes foundation from water damage.
To encourage your gutters to keep doing what they do best, you’ll need to pay them special attention during storm season. To prevent flooding and mold growth, we recommend this 5-step guide on how to clean your gutters.
1. Clean the gutter nearest a downspout.
First, locate an extendable ladder with stabilizers. We recommend wearing a long sleeve shirt and rubber gloves for safety. Make it your goal to clear out the areas nearest the downspout. Most often, this is where most blockages occur. Of course, if you are not comfortable on a ladder or roof, we recommend hiring a local professional to help with your gutter maintenance.
2. Remove debris and discard the waste.
Next, it’s time to clear it out! Remove leaves and twigs in handfuls and collect any gunk with a plastic scoop. Then discard onto a plastic tarp or into a thick, heavy-duty trash bag.
3. Clean out the finer materials.
In order to clear out the smaller debris, we recommend flushing out your gutters with a hose — starting at the end opposite the downspout. You also have the option to use a gutter cleaning kit. This will often connect to a leaf blower, so use a dust mask to ensure you’re not breathing in any of those particles.
4. Flush the gutters.
If the water doesn’t drain, check the downspout strainer and clean more if necessary. If it still isn’t draining, you may have to enlist the help of a plumber’s snake to dislodge the clog. When you’ve spotted the issue, remove and flush out the system a second time.
5. Check for potential leaks.
Another reason to flush out your gutters and downspouts is the opportunity to spot any leaks. If it’s occurring near the seams, run a bead of sealant along the joints to tighten the area between the gutters and the roof. If the leaking is near the end caps, use sealant along the side of the joints.
And, if you notice any damages to the gutters themselves, we recommend calling in the professionals.
