As the cool autumn winds roll in, it’s time to shift our focus to home maintenance. Winter is coming, and one important task to prepare for is fall gutter and downspout maintenance. Don’t overlook this crucial step! With leaves falling from the trees, your gutters can quickly get clogged, leading to costly damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding. Don’t risk water damage – a simple gutter and downspout cleaning can save you a lot of trouble.
Today, Canal Winchester Plumbing & Drain is here to share some handy tips to help keep your home protected and in top shape during this gorgeous yet challenging season.
HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS NEED CLEANED?
When you see leaves, twigs, branches, and other outdoor debris spilling out of your gutters and downspouts, it’s a sure sign that they need a good cleaning. Another obvious clue is if you notice water pooling around the base of your home after a heavy rainfall.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLEAN THEM?
You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, but we highly recommend cleaning them three times if possible, especially if you have trees around your house. The general rule is once in the spring and once in early fall. However, we get it, time flies, and things can get busy. So, don’t worry if you haven’t had a chance to give some love to your gutters and downspouts yet. It’s not too late! And remember, better late than never!
HOW TO CLEAN GUTTERS:
- Safety Tips – Above all, make sure you prioritize safety. If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable while working on this task, just stop and don’t continue. Remember, you can always call a professional to clean your gutters if needed.
- Utilize a Ladder – Step ladders have a bad reputation for tipping off balance. Instead, it’d be smart to go for a sturdy extension ladder. Also, it’s a good idea to have someone at the base to hold and stabilize the ladder while you clean the gutters. If you choose this method, using gloves or a small brush is the easiest way to scoop out leaves and debris. Although, this advice is mainly for single-story homes. For two-story or taller homes, it’s best to leave it to the pros who have the right equipment to do the job safely.
- Utilize a Cleaning Tool – Cleaning gutters with both feet on the ground is the safest way to go. You can grab a gutter cleaning wand or a leaf blower attachment from your local home improvement store. These attachments make the cleaning process more gradual and systematic. But sticking to this method is tried and true, not to mention safe.
HOW TO CLEAN DOWNSPOUTS:
Now that the gutters are taken care of, it’s time to tackle the downspouts. They need some attention too! Before you get started, disconnect the downspout extension at the base. Once that’s done, the vertical part of the spout should be open. Next, remove any loose leaves and debris from the end of the vertical piece and the downspout extension you just took off. If the downspout isn’t too clogged, you can use a water hose to flush it out further. This should clear out any remaining debris and loose particles. However, if you’re dealing with a seriously clogged downspout, a plumbing snake could also come in handy.
Winter is right around the corner. It’s a good idea to take some time now to get your gutters and downspouts ready for the upcoming weather. Trust us, you don’t want any blockage when snowmelt and cold weather are also involved. Dealing with water damage is definitely not something you want to risk when it comes to your home.
If you ever need a reliable plumbing company, feel free to give us a call. We’re here to provide you with top-notch customer service and take care of all your plumbing needs! You can reach Canal Winchester Plumbing & Drain today at (614) 490-7531 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!