Gutter Cleaning – Clogged Gutters Caused Water Damage

Homeowners are often confused about what is gutter cleaning and what is a gutter guard. They both are important to the proper functioning of a home’s drainage system. The homeowner is the one responsible for maintaining the drainage system. In essence, he or she is the one who has to be called every time there is a problem.

Your drainage system

Gutters are a vital part of the drainage system. They keep out leaves, pinecones, twigs and other debris that otherwise can cause damage to the roof and walls of a house. Cleaning gutters properly is very important. Otherwise, they could cause considerable damage. This is why it is important for homeowners to have a gutter cleaning professional remove any debris that might get into the gutters.

broken downspouts

A broken downspout is another problem that could result in damage to the foundation. Some homeowners believe that they only need gutter cleaning when there are clogs. The truth is that clogs can occur at any time. If a problem does occur, it is important for the homeowner to contact a professional downspout repair specialist to see what can be done.

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Gutters are cleaned using a combination of chemicals, water and rake. Sometimes the homeowner will use a leaf blower to dislodge large amounts of leaves that are hanging from the gutter. The most common chemicals used for gutter cleaning are citric acid and bleach. Leaf blowers can also be used to help with the task. Of course, each homeowner will have his or her own individual preferences.

gutter covers

When it comes to gutter cleaning, the homeowner should have in mind that there are different types of gutter covers and gutters. Paper and fiberglass are two of the most common materials. Homeowners often think that all covers are made from the same material, but this is not true. There are actually several different types including, vinyl, metal and paper. Paper is one of the least expensive, but it can be found in clogged gutters and requires more maintenance than some of the other materials on the market.

best siding materials

Vinyl has the best performance out of all of the materials on the market. It can be cleaned with a variety of gutter cleaning products, but is not one of the most durable. A major plus is that it will not rot. Metal gutters can be purchased and installed, but these are made of stronger metal that can be punctured and damaged during severe storms.

Gutter cleaning

gutters require strength and agility to climb ladders. When ladder climbing is not an option, using rakes and extension tubes can be a less daunting option. To avoid injury, work safely and only climb as high as necessary. Use ladders that are installed in accordance with OSHA standards and always use the correct hand tools for any work that you do on the ladder.

gutter guard system installation

Installing guard systems on your home is another option to keep out leaves, twigs and other debris. Gutters that have guards installed will make gutter cleaning easier and can help prevent damage to landscaping and foundation walls. If you decide to install a guard system, make sure that the guard fits securely and is completely weather proof. A gutter cleaning service should be able to install a gutter guard in no time and make your home more attractive.

There are several other options to help reduce the amount of work involved in the gutter cleaning process. Having a rain gutter guard is one option, but it does not prevent full water from reaching the roof and sides of the home. A more feasible option would be to install a leaf guard, which will keep out leaves and other types of debris from falling into the gutter system. The less debris that gets clogged up in the gutter system the less work that needs to be done during the gutter cleaning process.

installing a rain garden

Another option is to build a rain garden. A rain garden is simply a large field that is surrounded by water. Water flows off of the field into the house and collects on the roof. Rainwater will not cause damage to the home, but it can get into the walls and ruin carpeting, paint, and other expensive interior materials.

Clogged gutters can lead to other drainage issues as well. If the gutter and downspouts are not clean, contaminants and tree roots can collect near the base of the downspouts. If this happens the pressure from the water can cause cracks and damage to the walls of the house. This is why it is often a good idea to have the gutter cleaning process done before any problems arise with the downspouts or gutters. By having the clogged areas surgically removed the gutter cleaning process will not be necessary, and the home will stay structurally sound and in good repair for many years.