When leaves, limbs, dirt etc. clogs your gutters then water starts to seep through the walls of your home. Seeping of water can leave its marks on your sidings. It also can result in flooded basements and even can spoil the foundation of the home. Incase your home is surrounded with lot of trees then you should clean your gutter every 6 months. The leaks should be patched with high priority.
Leaves and small tree limbs that are gathering in the gutters would ultimately blocks the gutters and cause the gutters to overflow. Use a ladder to gain access to the gutters. The ladder should be long enough that it reaches at least 2 feet above the gutter. Now use a whisk broom to brush away all the leaves. Collect the leaves in a bucket that is hanging to the ladder with the help of a garden trowel.
To prevent the leaves from clogging the gutters you have cut their entrance. You can do this by covering the entire gutter with a mesh screens. Mesh screen prevent the way in of the leaves and other foreign materials, but allow water to come in. In this way your gutters would be safe from leaves, limbs etc.
The mesh screens are made up of either plastic or metal. These mesh screens are widely available at all the hardware stores. While installation of mesh screens, use manufacturer’s instruction for the maximum outcome.
If holes or cracks are present in the gutters then use a heavy-duty patch for repairing. Using paint-thinner, clean the area around the hole or crack. Place a liberal coat of asphalt roofing cement over the damaged area. Now, cut a piece of aluminum foil, large in dimension than the hole, place it on the hole and press it firmly. Put another layer of cement on the foil to cover at least 2 inches of area beyond the foil on all sides.
The water coming out of the downspout should be directed away from the foundation of the home. For this, you can direct the water into an underground safety tank. The perfect position for the underground drywell or safety tank is 10 feet away from the foundation of the home.
For safety reason use proper safety equipments while working on the heights especially when working on the ladder.
Regular maintenance not only save your roof and home but also save you some extra money, which you have to spend on repairing otherwise.
Scott Rodgers is a fine expert who has been authoring on roofing contents for a long time now. His exemplary guidance has given motivation to a host of workers, ranging from Jarrettsville Roofers (Require one? click here!) to Linthicum Heights Roofers (Require one? click here!).
