As autumn continues with its brisk winds and falling leaves, it’s important to focus on seasonal appropriate home maintenance. You can prepare for winter by paying attention to fall gutter and downspout maintenance. Leaves can quickly accumulate in your gutters, leading to potential clogs and blockages. So, when this fall task is neglected, it can result in costly damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding. Trust us; you don’t want to risk water damage when a simple gutter and downspout cleaning can prevent it.
Today, Five Star Cincinnati Plumbing provides practical tips to help keep your home protected and your gutter system in peak condition during this beautiful yet demanding season.
WHAT SIGNS SHOULD A HOMEOWNER LOOK OUT FOR REGARDING GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUT MAINTENANCE?
When leaves, twigs, branches, and other outdoor debris are overflowing out of your gutters and downspouts, it’s a clear sign that your gutters could use a good cleaning. Another indication is pooling water around the base of your home after heavy rainfall. Often this happens because the gutters are clogged and the water is not being drained in the appropriate areas.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A HOMEOWNER TO CLEAN THEIR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS?
We recommend your gutters get cleaned at least twice a year, ideally, three times, if possible, especially if your house is surrounded by trees. Typically, it is best to clean them once in the spring and once in the early fall. However, we understand that time can slip away from us easily. So, if you haven’t had a chance to clean your gutters and downspouts yet, don’t worry! It’s not too late. Remember, it’s better to get it done late than never!
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS:
- Safety Tips – Safety should always come first. If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please stop and avoid proceeding. You can always call a professional to clean your gutters if needed.
- Clean with a Ladder – Step ladders are known for tipping off balance. Instead, it’s better to use a sturdy extension ladder. Also, have someone hold and stabilize the ladder at the base while you clean the gutters or vice versa. If you choose this method, using gloves or a small brush is the easiest way to remove leaves and debris quickly. But remember, this is only suitable for single-story homes. For two-story or higher homes, it’s best to hire professionals with the right equipment for a safely executed job.
- Clean from the Ground – Cleaning gutters with both feet on the ground is the safest way. You can find a gutter cleaning wand or leaf blower attachment at your local home improvement store. These attachments help you clean in a gradual and systematic manner.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOWNSPOUTS:
Now that the gutters are done, let’s move on to the downspouts. They need attention too! Before you start, disconnect the downspout extension at the base. This will leave the vertical part of the spout open. 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. This will clear any remaining debris and loose particles. Another good idea is that if you’re dealing with an overly clogged downspout, a plumbing snake could help.
With winter approaching, it’s important to prepare your gutters and downspouts for the upcoming weather. Don’t underestimate the significance of preventing blockage from snowmelt and bad weather. Water damage is a risk you shouldn’t take lightly when it comes to your home.
If you need a reliable plumbing company, feel free to give us a call. We’re here to provide you with excellent customer service for all your plumbing needs! You can reach Five Star Cincinnati Plumbing today at (513) 204-9944 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
