There are some areas of the house that require regular maintenance in order to prevent problems in other areas. The home’s gutter system is one such area. Why is this? One reason is that just a few inches of rainfall on a roof can produce thousands of gallons of water runoff! Gutters and downspouts play a key role in diverting that water away from the home. If they become blocked, they can no longer direct that water away from the house which then leads to issues resulting from water intrusion like mold and wood rot, etc.
Now that we’ve established why gutters need regular cleaning, what is the best way to go about it? If you decide to do it yourself, you must make sure to take all the necessary safety precautions. Ideally, you will want to have someone else with you to watch out for you and support the ladder. You will also need protective gear like sturdy footwear and a good pair of gloves. There may be all kinds of sharp objects in the gutters, or even insects and small animals, so you will want to be protected. Be prepared to use a lot of water when cleaning out your gutters. Make sure that the water is directed away from the house to prevent the ground around it from becoming too saturated.
Downspouts should also be inspected for signs of damage, as they are often accidentally hit by vehicles. Check that they are firmly fixed to the house and connected to the guttering. Sometimes they are also fitted upside down which causes leaks, so you will want to check for this also.
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