Rain GuttersGutters are very important for the wellbeing of your home. Their purpose is to protect your foundation, roof, walls and landscape by controlling the flow of the rainwater. But, if you don't pay enough attention to them, they can turn from something that is necessary for your home into one of your worst nightmares. If the gutters get clogged with sticks, leaves and other debris, there is a big chance that the roof is going to become leaky, and it can also lead to some water damage to the exterior and interior of your home. Contractors even say that the gutters that are clogged with debris can easily become nice homes for mold, rodents, pests and even honeycombs. And remember that this is something that can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. How Often Should You Clean the Gutters? It depends on how many trees you have in your yard and where you live. It is recommended to have the gutters cleaned in the fall and spring. It is also important to hire a professional to clean the downspouts. Cleaning the downspouts is important because if they get too clogged with debris, it can cause the rainwater to overflow the gutter. You should clean the gutters about every four months, but it really depends on the type of leaves that fall in your area and how often they fall. However, you need to make sure to clean them before all of the leaves have fallen. Use Gutter CoversUsing the gutter covers can reduce debris. These covers can significantly help you when it comes to cleaning the gutters. So, instead of cleaning them every four months or so, you may only need to do it every one to three years. It is a good idea to visually check to see if the gutters are clean, even if you have the gutter covers. This is because even if you have said covers, they can't prevent all of the debris from getting in. Actually, the amount of debris that can still get in is up to 20%. In this case, you need to remove the covers and take out the remaining debris yourself. Also, one more thing that is important for you to remember is to purchase only the quality screens and covers. Look for the ones that suit the type of trees in your yard. Should You Hire a Professional or Do It Yourself? Even though cleaning the gutters is something that almost everyone can do, it can be a bit dangerous. However, if you decide to do it yourself, make sure that the ladder is sturdy and in good condition before climbing it. Also, make sure not to rest the ladder on the gutters because they can collapse, which can result in a serious injury.
If you are not ready to do this yourself, or you simply don't want to do it yourself, then the best option would be to hire a professional. Instead of just cleaning the gutters, a professional should also check to see if there are any loose gutter spikes and repair them if necessary. |
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Rain Gutter Contractor in Boise Idaho. Archives
October 2017
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