Protect Your Home By Cleaning Your Gutters

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Have you considered cleaning out your gutters? While cleaning them may seem like a daunting task, it is a chore that is beneficial for your home and can save you money. If you still need convincing, here are some more reasons why you should regularly clean your gutters:

1. When your gutters and downspouts are clogged with leaves and other debris, it may cause water damage. Rainwater cannot drain properly when there is a blockage in the gutters. This will cause the water to overflow and create damage to the interior and exterior of your building or home. Excess water can also create a leaky or rotten roof.
2. By leaving leaves trapped in your gutter, it becomes a desirable home for different kinds of pests, from rodents to insects. Prevent a pest infestation by removing those leaves!
3. The excess water can also pool around the foundation of your building if it is blocked from traveling away from your home. This pool of water can crack your foundation in the winter when it expands and freezes in the cold weather. 
4. By taking early preventative measures, gutter cleaning can help minimize the possibility of having to replace or repair your roof. Cleaning your gutters regularly will save you money.
5. Debris buildup can also eventually lead to sagging gutters, mold growth, and wet basements, all of which can be very costly.

To prevent the worst from happening, clean your gutters! Make sure to clean them at least twice a year, in the spring and fall, and clean even more if your home or building is situated around trees. Tools you will need for gutter cleaning include a ladder, a hose, and a scoop or trowel. When using a ladder, practice the utmost safety, and if you do not feel comfortable, do not hesitate to call us, the professionals, here at SERVPRO of North Nashville! 

1. It is recommended that you wear gloves while cleaning for ease and convenience. Have two buckets alongside you, one to hold the debris, and the other to hold your tools.
2. You should begin cleaning near a downspout. Confirm that your ladder is secure and on level ground before you start to climb it. 
3. Remove any large debris such as leaves and twigs by hand, then for the more compact debris use your gutter scoop.
4. Remove and clean the downspout strainers. Then flush out the gutter with water, using your hose, and starting at the end, opposite of the downspout. Replace the downspout strainers when finished.
5. Once the gutters are cleaned, check the downspouts for any lodged debris. If any remain, use the hose again to spray down the spout.
6. Use the hose one more time to flush the gutters and check for proper water flow and drainage. Ensure that there are not any leaks or standing water by the downspout. Then make sure all gutters are secure and firmly attached to the house.

Now that you are done with gutter cleaning, do not forget to repeat this at least once more during the year. While a relatively simple process, you must always remember to carry out the best safety practices when operating from tall ladders. If you require assistance in gutter cleaning, feel free to contact the professionals. Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we are experts at any home project and we are more than happy to help!