We spend 90% of our time indoors. That means more often than not the exterior condition of our home can be overlooked. Maintaining the condition of your gutters is one of the most important tasks in outdoor home maintenance.
Replacement gutters can cost you almost $5,000! That is why we have put together a list of the top gutter maintenance mistakes. We are going to help you avoid these costly mistakes and keep your gutters in mint condition.
Let's get started.
Ignoring Minor Repairs
Ignoring small repairs begins to add up and you are left with much bigger issues. Overlooking care for things like rust spots could end up forcing you to buy new gutters rather than repair.
Check the interior of the gutter regularly to ensure that there are no rust spots that could potentially spread. Check for signs of sagging where the gutter meets the soffit. Sagging that is not tended to could lead to the gutter breaking away entirely.
Improper Placement
When your gutters are installed the should not be completely flush with the edge of the roof. Instead, place the guards beneath the edge of the roofline. Doing this will ensure that the runoff from the roof will flow smoothly into the gutters and not pool up.
Also if you choose to use gutter guards (which you should) they need to be placed correctly as well. Make sure that they are the appropriate fit for your gutter style and there are no gaps between the seams. Doing this correctly will prevent clogs, ice dams, and potential damage to your home.
Using Harsh Chemicals
It is never a good idea to use harsh chemicals when cleaning your gutters. These caustic cleaners can cause irreversible damage to the finish of the gutter. Damage to the finish could result in rust developing.
Using organic or natural cleaners is a better option. These types of cleaners will be milder and have less of an effect on the exterior of your home and the gutter finish.
Not Cleaning Your Gutters
Over the year your gutters will accumulate various debris like pine needles, sticks, leaves, and more. This debris can cause clogs in your gutter that can make the gutter heavy. With the added weight your gutters could begin to sag and separate from the roof resulting in damage.
Even with gutter guards sometimes debris can become trapped within the gutter. Remove the gutter guards and clean your gutters at least twice a year.
Not flushing Downspouts
Your downspouts can become clogged with debris as well. These clogs will cause what to accumulate and back up into the gutters. Flush the gutters with a water hose from top to bottom.
If you notice that water is bubbling up it could a sign of a bad clog. Remove the downspout if necessary or use a gutter cleaning tool to remove the debris.
Avoiding Gutter Maintenance Mistakes
Avoiding these gutter maintenance mistakes could save you thousands in the long run. Scheduled maintenance and upkeep on minor repairs is key to the longevity of your gutters.
If you want to learn more about keeping your home looking its best click here!
