Gutters are an integral component of your house, and ensuring they’re clean and working properly is essential for many reasons. A well-maintained gutter system helps divert water from your building and protects your foundation and home from water damage.
Maintaining gutters is especially important in winter, as the cold weather can take a toll on them. As the ice expands, it can cause severe damage to the fascia, which can cost a fortune to repair.
ClearView Home Services, a professional gutter cleaning company, shares some valuable gutter maintenance tips to ensure your home remains safe during the winter.
Three Main Types of Gutters: A Guide to Maintaining Your Gutter System
It’s important to understand the type of Drains you have in your home so that you can implement the right maintenance practices. Below are the three main types of gutter systems:
- Half-round Drains: These gutter systems resemble round tubes cut in half and are the most affordable. However, they’re also the least effective as they hold a limited amount of water.
- Fascia-style/wide-bottom Drains: These gutter systems have a flat button and straight outside edge that mimics the look of the flat fascia behind them. They are also common in cold areas.
- K-style gutters: These Drains feature square bottoms, with one side flaring out. They look like crown molding and hold more water than their half-round counterparts, making them an excellent option for homes in cold areas.
6 Tips to Maintain Gutter Systems in the Winter
Clear Debris
A thorough cleaning is the most critical part of maintaining gutter systems. While professional assistance is advisable, you can complete the task yourself if you have the right tools. You’ll need a stable ladder, gloves, and a gutter scoop or garden trowel.
Climb the ladder and remove all the leaves, twigs, and debris from the Conduits. Pay close attention to junctions and corners where leaves often gather. Consider installing gutter covers to minimize the build-up of debris in your gutter system.
Effective Strategies for Maintaining Gutters: Clean Algae and Mold Prevention
Clogged gutters are prone to mold and algae growth due to constant wetness, and you should remove mold from your conduits as soon as possible. If left unchecked, mold can degrade your Spouts’ protective coating.
On the other hand, algae impede water flow through the Conduits. You can scrub out any visible algae and mold using a sponge and bleach solution, but make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands when performing this task.
Inspect Anchors and Seams
Gutter leaks often start at seams that have opened up due to expansion and contraction. Check your Conduits to ensure they’re firmly fastened to the house by gutter spikes. Make sure there are no visible gaps between the gutter and the fascia.
Check for Structural Damage
Blocked gutters can cause severe damage to your home. Take the time to inspect your home’s siding, fascia, and foundation for signs of rotting, staining, or other water-related damage. If you notice any damage, determine the cause and make necessary repairs.
Remove Rust
Rust results from a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen in the presence of water or moisture. This reaction forms a reddish-colored compound known as oxide. Rust usually develops in Conduits when water builds up inside them due to poor installation, improper slope, or clogging.
Rust is not only an aesthetic issue; it may compromise the structural integrity of your Conduits. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the entire gutter system.
Regular inspection and rust removal are crucial parts of maintaining gutters. Maintaining gutters properly can help you avoid expensive repairs and replacements. If you notice any rust on your gutter system’s exterior, you can remove it with a rust-removing cleaner or scouring pad. Maintaining gutters by ensuring they are clean and free from obstructions is essential to prevent rust and prolong their lifespan.
Check Downspouts and Diverters
You should redirect water from the roof at least ten feet from the foundation on a downward slope. Check the downspouts to ensure water flows away from your home and doesn’t pool.
If you’re diverting water to a rain barrel, it’s best to detach the downspout from the barrel until the cold season is over. Alternatively, you can add a garden hose to the barrel drain to flush the Conduits and direct water away from your house.
Professional Gutter Cleaning Company in Surrey, BC
Now that you understand the significance of maintaining gutter systems in winter, you should hire a reputable professional to ensure lasting results. We at ClearView Home Services offer reliable gutter cleaning services at affordable prices.
We aim to ensure you have clear running Conduits all year round and save thousands of dollar’s worth of property damage. Contact us at (604) 944-9972 for a free estimate and learn about the best time of the year to clean gutters.
