This season, we want to remind you not to forget about the important task of maintaining your gutters and downspouts. While the fall foliage may create a beautiful scene, it can quickly accumulate in your gutters and cause plumbing issues if ignored. Clogged gutters can lead to costly damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and siding. Thankfully, the solution is simple – make sure to clean your gutters and downspouts thoroughly.
At Miamisburg Plumbing & Drain, we’re thrilled to offer expert guidance and practical advice on protecting your home by maintaining your gutters and downspouts.
How Can You Tell If Your Gutters & Downspouts Need to Be Cleaned?
Watch out for overflowing leaves, twigs, and debris. They signal that your gutters and downspouts need cleaning. Likewise, if water pools around your home’s foundation after heavy rain, it’s a clear sign that action is needed. Water should drain properly through the gutters all the way to the downspouts, so if it accumulates in specific areas, your gutters are likely clogged, causing water to spill out in random areas.
How Do You Know When is the Best Time to Clean Them?
To maintain your gutters effectively, it’s recommended to clean them twice a year and possibly three times if you have many trees around your property. Spring and early fall are the best seasons for this task. However, if you haven’t had the chance to do so yet, don’t worry. It’s better to clean them late than not at all. Additionally, it doesn’t hurt to clear out your gutters in mid-November before the winter weather sets in. So, let’s get to it.
How Can You Do It Safely?
Safety is the top priority. If you ever feel uneasy or unsafe while cleaning your gutters, please stop immediately. You can always seek professional help if needed. When doing it yourself, ensure your ladder is secure and consider having someone assist in stabilizing the base. Also, keep in mind that for multi-story homes, it’s safer to hire professionals with the right equipment to handle the task.
How to Clean Gutters:
- Cleaning with a Ladder: Choose an extension ladder as it offers more stability than a step ladder. Next, gloves and a small brush can be used for efficient leaf and debris removal.
- Cleaning from the Ground: Stay safe by cleaning your gutters with both feet on the ground. Use tools like gutter cleaning wands or leaf blower attachments for a gradual and systematic cleaning process.
How to Clean Downspouts:
Addressing the downspouts as well is crucial to ensure the proper functioning of the drainage system. Begin by disconnecting the downspout extension at its base for easy access to the vertical part of the spout. Next, remove any loose leaves and debris from the bottom of the vertical piece and then do the same with the removed downspout extension. For mildly clogged downspouts, a garden hose can be used to flush out remaining debris. However, in cases of stubborn blockages, a plumbing snake is recommended to restore the proper downspout function.
As winter approaches, it’s important to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Don’t underestimate the importance of this task. Avoid snowmelt blockages to keep your gutters in good condition.
If you need plumbing assistance, feel free to reach out to us. At Miamisburg Plumbing & Drain, our top-notch customer service is just one phone call away. You can reach us today at (937) 705-0297 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!