Menu

Fall Home Maintenance: 4 Steps to Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are a vital component of the roofing system and require routine maintenance to keep your home looking and functioning well. Gutter cleaning has more benefits than just aesthetics; it protects exterior siding, windows, doors, basements and foundations from significant water damage. Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris, or otherwise not functioning correctly, can result in serious damage. By channeling rainwater away from the perimeter, gutters act as the first line of defense against water running and seeping into your home.

How to Clean Gutters

While professional gutter cleaning by a licensed company is always the safest way to keep your gutters and downspouts clear, we understand many homeowners prefer to handle this task themselves. Here are tips that will help you get the job done safely.

  • Safety first. Before climbing a ladder, be sure you have assembled items that will keep you safe when cleaning gutters. Gloves are important to protect hands from rotting debris and sharp metal edges. Safety goggles keep eyes protected from splatters and flying debris, while a sturdy ladder ensures you can carry out the job safely. Always let someone know you will be using a ladder to work on your roof or gutters.
  • Clean the gutters.  Remove gutter covers, if applicable. Use a garden trowel or a homemade scoop (a plastic half-gallon milk jug can be fashioned into a convenient scoop) to remove debris from the gutter trough. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this and take care not to damage the gutter.
  • Flush the gutters.  Using a garden hose, flush the cleared gutter with water to wash out small bits of debris and check for proper flow. If the water isn’t draining, check the downspout strainer and clean as necessary.
  • Check the downspouts.  If water still doesn’t flow, you may have a clog in the downspout. Insert a pressure nozzle into the downspout at the base and spray at full pressure. If this doesn’t clear the downspout, use a plumber’s snake to clear the blockage. Flush the entire gutter again.

If you are uncomfortable with heights or ladders, or notice damage to your gutters while cleaning, call a roofing professional for assistance. By taking care of this maintenance chore during the fall, after leaves have fallen, you can prevent problems with your home over the winter.

Learn more about the protective benefits of LP® SmartSide® engineered wood siding for your home by visiting www.LPSmartSide.com. For questions about home siding or home siding repair, contact an LP SmartSide remodeler near you.

Continue Reading

Business Solutions

5 min

What's the Value of a Warranty?

Warranties are everywhere, from small consumer products to commercial machinery and everything in between. Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree to understand the terms of a warranty.

Continue Reading

Business Solutions

4 min
Q&A: How Home Orientation Impacts Continuous Insulation

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to building an energy-efficient home for your clients and the many nuances that change with each build—including its orientation to the sun.

Resiliency Solutions

5 min
HOW A RADIANT BARRIER CAN IMPROVE BURIED DUCT PERFORMANCE

There are several insulation methods based on attic design, but ducts placed over the bottom of truss chords and buried under insulation in a vented attic is a popular builder option.

Maintenance7 min
What Should Homeowners Prioritize in a Build?

Whether it's a new phone, clothes, or a family car, today we're often resigned to the fact that the new things we own won't last forever. However, there is one thing that we still expect to endure for the long haul, and that's our homes.