Keeping your gutters clean is essential to keeping your house safe and sound.
Somewhat ironically, a good place to start is in the gutter.
Specifically, cleaning the rain gutters that typically line your house.
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Why Houses Have Gutters
Gutters serve an important purpose for a home.
Do you oughta Clean Them More Often?
It involves a tall ladder and a lot of elbow grease.
Cleaning gutters is primarily a hands-on process, says Flax.
While youre up close and personal with the gutters, give them a good look.
Sometimes, if the gutters have been overflowing, a process called gutter striping may exist.
This is a striped stain on the exterior of the gutter, explains Flax.
Removing gutter striping can be a tedious process but can be accomplished with some scrubbing, notes Flax.
If youre particularly concerned about drainage issues, some people install gutter guards.
They also prevent birds from building nests in gutters.
However, even with gutter guards you’ll still need to clean your gutters.
“Dont be sold on the thought that gutter guards are maintenance free.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for signs of sagging, staining, standing water, or overflows.
Clogged gutters are the number one cause of water damage to a home, says Flax.
That can lead to damage to siding, roof, and even the foundation of the house.
If there are powerlines near your roof, you should also call a professional.
Removing gutters would cause run-off near the foundation and could cause flooding and water damage.
Plus, standing water from roof run-off can lead to rotting, mold, and mosquitoes.
