Summer is Here – How Should You Prepare Your Gutters?

How Should You Prepare Your Gutters During Summer?

Summer could mean dry spells in regards to weather or downpours depending on where you live. With that, we have compiled a list of how and why you should prepare your gutters for both scenarios to ensure that your home is properly protected from the elements.

You may be thinking – I live in a hot climate where we only get rain; therefore, I don’t need to do anything to maintain my gutters. You couldn’t be more wrong.

The summer season is actually the perfect time to take care of your gutters. Why? Well during this time, the climate conditions may have encouraged the accumulation of dust and debris in the rain gutter. The debris can become incredibly heavy upon build up causing the gutters themselves and the downspouts to break away from where they are anchored on the roof and wall of the home. This could cause more expensive damage than just cleaning the rain gutters in the first place.

Dust and debris can moisten by dew during the night. The small amount of moisture can cause acidic compounds to form from the substances that make up the debris within the gutter. These chemicals can then corrode the gutters and cause holes. These holes will then allow water to leak through the gutters (not disperse away from the home appropriately) when rain does come. The debris can also harbor creatures such as birds and insects. These forms of life may carry microorganisms that pose a threat to the health of you and your family. Wind can easily blow them into the home during the dry season.

Droughts can also lead to soil erosion around the base of your home as well. When the next rain storm does come, the eroded areas will be more susceptible to water damage. So, not only should you maintain your gutters, but you should also try to occasionally water the soil to keep it hydrated.

Lastly, debris can clog the roof’s drainage system consisting of both the gutters and the downspouts. This debris can become hard to dislodge and can cause your gutters to hold in heavy water when the rain does come.

If your area gets a lot of rain during the summer, it would be a really great time to ensure your gutters can properly hold a great deal of water and disperse it away from your home appropriately. To ensure that it is ready, follow this check list:

• Ensure your gutter is free of debris.
• Check to make sure there is no standing water in any section of your gutter.
  • If there is standing water, you may have an issue with the gutter’s angle
• Inspect that the gutters do not have any holes, cracks, or leaks. You can do this by running water from a hose into the gutter and making sure there is no access or dripping water. This is especially important in the caulking of your gutter seams.
• Make sure that downspouts are not clogged
• Gently wiggle all sections of the gutters to ensure they are secured properly. This will ensure that all connections are in place.
• Ensure that the downspouts are also secure.
• Visually ensure that no gutters are sagging.
• Check for pooling water around your home’s foundation.
• Check to ensure there is no damage to the exterior walls, paint, and/or siding.
• Check to make sure that there are no water stains on your walls or ceilings inside your home.
• Gently wiggle all sections of the gutters to ensure they are secured properly. This will ensure that all connections are in place.
• Ensure that the downspouts are also secure.
• Visually ensure that no gutters are sagging.
• Check for pooling water around your home’s foundation.
• Check to ensure there is no damage to the exterior walls, paint, and/or siding.
• Check to make sure that there are no water stains on your walls or ceilings inside your home.

Whether or not your area is expected to receive rain any time soon, ensure you are keeping your gutters clean for the safety of both your home and your family. Contact the experts today from Gutter Professionals, Inc. for more information or for a Free Quote on any of gutter services!

 

POSTED ON June 28, 2017 // 0 COMMENTS