Top Gutter Repair and Cleaning Tips

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With summer just around the corner, many are gearing up to make improvements and changes to both the interior and exterior of their home.

In addition to home renovations and annual summer cleaning,’ now’s the ideal time to start thinking about cleaning and repairing your gutters.

Okay, gutter cleaning and gutter repair might not sound as exciting as some sleek new granite counter tops or a fancy new soaker tub, however, it’s a job that must be done. While gutters tend to be out of sight and out of mind, they can quickly thrust themselves into the spot light when a leak or excessive build up takes place.

Over the winter months, our gutters can fill up fast with leaves, sediment and whatever else the wind blows –  neglecting them can result in a costly mistake in the long run for careless home owners.

When it comes to gutter repair and cleaning, you have two choices:

1. Do it yourself

2. Leave the job to the pros.

Here are some tips to guide you through the gutter repair and cleaning process:

DIY: Gutter Repair and Cleaning

If you’re a bit of a handyman/woman, you can get the job done yourself with the right tools, techniques and a little patience.

Find Yourself A Sturdy Ladder

If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to purchase or borrow a sturdy, high-quality ladder that will allow you to easily access your gutters. For a single-storey home, a step ladder will suffice, however, you will need an extension ladder for a 2-storey dwelling. If your home is 3-storeys or larger, it’s best to leave the job to a professional to avoid injury.

Acquire The Necessary Gutter Repair and Cleaning Tools

To get the job done efficiently and fast, make sure you have all the tools you’ll need on hand, such as a garden rake to collect the gunk that’s been building up in your gutters, bags to contain it, a pair of gardening or work gloves to protect your hands, sealant to fix any cracks/holes, a scrub brush and a pressure washer.

Scoop Out The Gunk

While it may not exactly be the most glamorous job, it’s one that will potentially save and extend the lifespan of your home. Using your small rake, claw at the contents of your gutters and fill your bag. Note: You’ll probably go through several bags so keep a handful in your pocket. As each one is filled, tie and drop to the ground below. Gutters that are clogged can lead to unnecessary expenses – so it’s safe to say that this is an important step.

Examine carefully for leaks

Do you see any holes in the gutters or cracks in the caulking seams? If so, go ahead and scrape away any old loose caulking and pat the area dry. Once it’s been thoroughly dried, use a silicon sealant to repair it. Failing to do so will case water to get behind the gutters and rot the boards of your home. Who wants that?

Scrub Your Gutters Clean

Once all sediment and gunk has been removed from your gutters and any cracks/holes have been properly sealed, it’s time to start use some elbow grease and begin cleaning. With the right outdoor cleaning product and your pressure washer, you should have no problem getting the job done. Note: Just make sure you avoid hitting the gutters at too high of an angle to avoid blowing the shingles off.

Leave Gutter Repairs and Cleaning To The Pros

Don’t have the time, tools or desire to get the job done? No problem! There are numerous companies out there that specialize in gutter repair, installation and cleaning.

Find a Reputable Gutter Repair Company to Deal With

While you may be tempted to cut corners and save a few bucks by installing, cleaning or repairing your own gutters, leave the task to a qualified and professional technician.

Ask For An Assessment Of Your Home’s Exterior

A technician should be able to provide you with an assessment of your home’s exterior and suggest ways to prevent future moss growth, gutter clogging areas and other exterior damage.

Make Sure The Company Is Insured

When choosing a company to clean and repair your gutters, make sure you option for one that is insured. If someone who is uninsured hurts himself while on the job, you’ll be liable.

Just remember, neglecting your gutters can have a significant impact on your home and your wallet. A clogged, leaky gutter can become ineffective and will not do its job properly, which is to catch the rain run-off and drain it away from your home. There’s also the risk of ground erosion, water ingress and unwanted discolouration/staining on your abode’s exterior walls, etc.

Don’t let the value of your home go down the gutter –  quite literally! Instead, fix & clean your gutters this summer or give the pros a call. By having taking care of your gutters, you will dramatically reduce the risk of large expenditures down the road.

Kristyl Clark