The importance of home maintenance should never be overlooked. The regular checkups of potential issues around the house provide every homeowner with insurance that their home is functioning properly in all areas. However, one thing which residents often tend to neglect to maintain are their gutters which can later become a constraint while you are watching a movie.

Generally speaking, gutters play a major role in sustaining the overall longevity of a house. They protect the property from serious water damage and erosion while strengthening its roof, foundation and landscaping. If you fail to do this, there is a great possibility that your home’s structure will be weakened and additional problems may arise.

That’s why frequent gutter maintenance is crucial for having a dry and damage-free home.

From cleaning your downspouts regularly to hiring a professional gutter installation company to maintain your gutters, there are several ways you can ensure that the drain pipes are installed and working properly.

Here is a list of the five most effective ones.

Clean your gutters regularly

Probably the best way to make sure your gutter system is working well is to clean it on a regular basis. Most homeowners do this twice a year, in spring and fall, when there are heavy rains and other debris around. Cleaning it will ensure that rainwater can flow freely and there won’t be any clogs.

If you choose to do this on your own, you will need a tall ladder and a gutter trowel to scoop the leaves and debris out of the downspouts. Once they are out, use a hose to flush the gutters and test the water flow.

Repair clogged gutters

Clogged gutters can be a huge issue as they can cause real damage to your home’s exterior. In general, downspouts can get clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris, not allowing water to flow freely. If this isn’t fixed on time, it can result in water backing up and spilling over the sides especially during rainstorms.

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you don’t have any clogs. For example, the easiest fix you can do is to check the bottom of your gutters and remove any blockages that may be there.

Check the gutters’ position

The positioning of your gutters is also crucial for their maintenance. If they aren’t positioned properly, then you are risking the chances of water pooling in the middle of the downspout which can further lead to damages to your roof, foundation, nichila sliding, and your overall gutter support system.

That’s why experts recommend that the best way to adjust your gutters is to slightly slope them. If you are doing this on your own, make sure that your downspouts aren’t leaning too much forward or too much backward as that could easily result in water ponding or spilling instead of free-flowing.

Add gutter guards

Another helpful way of ensuring that your gutters are functioning properly is to add gutter guards. These devices help minimize the need to clean your gutters because their main purpose is to prevent leaves, twigs and other bits from failing into the downspouts. So, all you will have to do is basically brush the debris off the gutters without the need of scooping or rinsing their insides.

Also, consider having splash guards at the base of your gutters to make sure water is effectively drained away from your home and protecting your roof from potential mold and mildew damage.

Photo by Kristen Kalp from Flickr

Hire a professional

If you want to be one hundred percent sure your entire gutter system is functioning properly, then you can always hire a professional to provide you with the assurance you need.

These people are knowledgeable and skilled and know their way around downspouts. They use various heavy tools and power equipment to install, clean and repair gutters so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or having any issues.

Plus, contrary to common belief, hiring a pro to complete the task for you is a lot more time-efficient and cost-effective than if you do it yourself.

Final thoughts

Maintaining your gutters on a regular basis is crucial for keeping your home damage-free. In general, congested downspouts can cause water leaks and erosion that can easily ruin your house’s roof, foundation and landscaping. Therefore, by cleaning your gutters frequently and thoroughly, you are ensuring that they are working properly and allowing water to flow freely at all times.

If you need help completing this task, refer back to our post and improve the functioning of your entire gutter system effectively.