As 2020 is now upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your home or business gutters in good condition before the summer gets here. The Florida summers are hot and humid and can make working outside almost unbearable and that’s why it’s important to take some time during the spring to make sure the exterior of your house is in good shape before summer comes.
Rain gutters are important for ensuring proper drainage of excess rainwater and other debris. If this water is not drained away from the house, you can experience problems with wood rotting, the foundation, or even flooding. While you can do some of these yourself, we always recommend having a professional Palm Beach gutter company inspect them.
1. Do a Simple Water Test
This is a test we recommend you do at the very beginning. Not only will it save you a lot of time, but it doesn’t take too long to do either. The purpose of this test is to try to make sure the water is flowing away from your house and not getting stuck. Take a hose and start pouring water into the rain gutters and see what happens. If the water stays where it’s at or starts overflowing, you know something is blocking it. This water test will save you a lot of time and we recommend always doing this first.
2. Clean out Your Gutters and Downspouts
Your gutters tend to get a lot of debris caught in them during the fall and winter seasons. This debris can include things like leaves, sticks, dirt, and foliage. Depending on how close your gutters are to trees, you might see more. This debris can clog your downspout and cause what is known as “gutter overflow.” Be sure to look for any cracks or damaged areas too. You can either use a ladder and clean them out with your hands and a hose or use a pressure washer. We recommend not standing on a ladder if you’re using a pressure washer. Instead, use a pressure washer gutter attachment that safely lets you stand on the ground. If you cannot reach your gutters, give the gutter professionals at Gutter Guy Inc a call and we’ll take care of it.
3. Remove any Nests or Critters
Gutters make the perfect winter perch for birds, rats, and other types of critters. When spring or summer comes around most of these critters will be gone and only the nest will be left behind. Check for any live animals first, then remove them as needed. One should be careful to watch out for wasp nests as they tend to be somewhat common in gutter systems. Sometimes this requires calling a pest company to come in and remove them if they’re still living there. Once you are clear of any animals or pests, you can begin cleaning and scrubbing down your gutters.
4. Look for Damage and Repair Leaks
This step is often overlooked because people don’t always want to go through the hassle of fixing or replacing their gutters. Rusty areas could cause small holes or leaks which will cause issues with draining the water away from your house. Once you find any damage, it’s time to repair the leaks. Make sure to thoroughly inspect your gutters on the inside and out, as sometimes there is bending that could cause a problem. If you find any problem leaks, it’s best to use some sort of silicone caulking around the dry area. This will repair the leak and save you a huge headache come summertime.
5. Check the Condition of Your Roof
The gutter and roofing system work together. That’s why if you’re already up there, take a look at the roof too. Shingles can come loose over time and fall off into your gutter or downspout creating a blockage. Shingles are supposed to allow the water to smoothly drop off into the gutter so it gets drained out. However, if they are damaged, the shingles could cause water to pool up around a clog.
If you’re planning on getting your gutters ready for summer, you should now be prepared for what you’ll need to do. You can see how important it is to maintain your gutters and even your roof in order to prevent problems. It is far easier to fix a few problems in the spring before they become huge problems in the summer. If you’re needing a reliable Palm Beach gutter company to repair or install brand new gutters, get in touch with us today!
Gutter Guy Inc offers Free Home & Business Gutter Estimates serving the Treasure Coast down to Palm Beach and surrounding areas.
772-334-3139 or GutterGuy@bellsouth.net
