As the brisk winds of autumn usher in the season of falling leaves and cooler temperatures, it’s essential to shift our focus to home maintenance tasks. Winter is coming, and one often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of preparing for it is fall gutter and downspout maintenance. As the trees continue to shed their leaves, they can quickly accumulate in your gutters, potentially causing clogs and blockages. So, neglecting this home maintenance chore can lead to costly damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding. Water damage is not something worth risking – especially when all it takes to avoid it is a simple gutter and downspout cleaning.
Today, Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain offers practical tips to ensure your home remains protected and in peak condition during this beautiful but demanding season.
WHEN DO YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS NEED ATTENTION?
Leaves and other debris, such as twigs, branches, and other outdoor debris overflowing out of your gutters and downspouts, are a clear indication that your gutters are due for a cleaning. Another telltale sign is pooling water around the base of your home after heavy rainfall.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS?
You should clean your gutters out no less than two times a year, although we highly suggest three times if possible, especially if trees surround your house. The general rule of thumb is one time in the spring and one time in the early fall. However, we know that time easily slips past the best of us. A lot happens this time of the year, so if you haven’t yet been able to show a little TLC to your gutters and downspouts, don’t worry. It’s not too late! And as they say, “Better late than never!”
GUTTER CLEANING:
- Safety Tips – First and foremost, safety should always be a priority, so if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable while continuing this task, please stop and refrain from continuing further. You can always call a professional to come and clean your gutters if needed.
- Clean with a Ladder – Step ladders are notorious for tipping off balance. Alternatively, it would be wise to use a sturdy extension ladder instead. In addition, you should have a second person stand at the base to hold on to and stabilize the ladder as you clean the gutters. Using gloves or a small brush is the easiest way to quickly and efficiently scoop out leaves and other debris if you choose this method. But please keep in mind this only applies to single-story homes; homes that are two stories or more are best left to the professionals as they have the proper equipment to perform the job safely.
- Clean from the Ground – Cleaning gutters with two feet on the ground is the safest method. You can get a gutter cleaning wand or leaf blower attachment from your nearest home improvement store. Using these attachments will make for a more gradual and systematic cleaning process. However, exercising this method is tried and true; plus, it is a safe process.
DOWNSPOUT CLEANING:
Now that the gutters are taken care of, it’s time to move on to the downspouts. They need attention, too! Before you start, disconnect the downspout extension at the base. With that being done, the vertical part of the spout should be left open. Then, remove any loose leaves and debris from the end of the vertical piece as well as the downspout extension you just took off. Next, if the downspout is not too clogged, you may use a water hose to flush it out further. Doing this should clear out any remaining debris and loose particles. On the off chance you are dealing with an overly clogged downspout, a plumbing snake could come in handy.
Remember, with winter officially around the corner, utilizing the time now to prep your gutters and downspouts for the pending weather is crucial. It may seem insignificant, but the last thing your gutters need is blockage from snowmelt and inclement weather. Water damage is not something we recommend taking your chances on when it comes to your home.
If you are in need of a good plumbing company, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to provide you with our five-star customer service for all your plumbing needs! You can reach Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 404-6575, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!