Your rain gutters go a long way towards preventing leaks and other water damage to your home. They prevent water from pooling on your roof and allow it to flow to the ground away from the foundation. They’re a crucial part of your roofing system, so you should keep a close eye on them and make sure they stay in good shape. If you’re not sure how to go about that, here are some tips that will help.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Your gutters should be cleaned at least once every few months, especially after heavy rain and severe weather. This usually involves climbing a ladder and removing leaves and other debris with a gutter trowel. If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, you can always hire a professional to do the job for you.
Check Your Downspouts for Clogs
Like the gutters on your roof, your downspouts tend to become clogged with debris. When this happens, the water in your gutters has nowhere to go, and it’s only a matter of time before they back up and cause your gutters to overflow.
If you can see clearly into your downspouts, periodically check them to make sure they aren’t clogged. If you can’t look into your downspouts, check for clogs by spraying water into them using a garden hose with a pressurized nozzle. This should help remove any debris and clear out smaller clogs as well.
Make Repairs As Needed
When you clean your gutters, take some time to inspect them for damage. If you notice small leaks, you should be able to patch them with some gutter sealant, which is available at most hardware stores. If the damage is too extensive for you to fix on your own or if your gutters are pulling away from your roof, contact a roofing company about repairing or replacing them.
Consider Installing Downspout Extensions
Most downspouts have splash blocks that collect water and direct it a few feet from your house. They work well enough most of the time, but they can sometimes be dislodged by heavy rain or severe weather. If this occurs frequently or if you feel like you have water pooling too close to your foundation or in your crawl space when it rains, you can always install downspout extensions. These flexible tubes attach to the ends of your downspouts and direct water farther away from your home.
Your gutter system may seem simple, but it’s a crucial part of your roofing system that could prevent costly water damage when it rains. If you ever need help repairing, replacing, or otherwise maintaining your gutters, contact North Creek Roofing in Mill Creek, WA.
