Category: Blog

Keeping your home in great shape is the goal of most homeowners, but sometimes things fall by the wayside. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of home care is the home’s exterior. More specifically, the gutters of a house are often disregarded when taking time to engage in home repair and cleaning, often because they don’t tend to stand out until there’s a problem. 

Unfortunately, this can lead to plenty of issues, such as leaky roofs and mold; even rodents, with the gutters in Portland that could be solved by simply maintaining them. A little time to maintain and clean them now can save you significant time and money in the future if you can avoid needing a new gutter. Let’s take a look at the right way to clean your gutters.

Preparing To Clean Your Gutters!

The best time to clean gutters is probably in the spring. Remove debris that has built up in the fall. Also, remember to wait a few days after the rain to get started. However, if you have pine needles around, it’s best to clean them quarterly. The first thing you should do when getting ready to clean your gutters is to find a sturdy ladder you can trust. You don’t want something rickety that might result in dangerous accidents. You may want to use a stabilizer if the surface that supports you is not flat. Otherwise, being on an unstable surface may cause the ladder to shift. Also, make sure it is the right height for the job. You must be able to reach your gutters. Remember, don’t ever stand on the top two rungs, and secure your ladder. Additionally, keep the task in mind – you’re going to be getting dirty, so dress accordingly. Long-sleeved shirts, rubber gloves, and work pants are the best, most functional options. Consider wearing plastic gloves under work gloves, which will keep your hands dry. Finally, make sure that you have the right tools for the job, including a small plastic scoop, or a trowel, a hose (that can reach), a couple of pails, and a tarp. Connect one pail on each side of the ladder. One will hold the tools, and the other the debris you find in your gutters. You can pick up a gutter scoop at most hardware stores, but you can also use a small sandbox shovel or a spatula in a pinch.

Best Way to Cleaning the Gutters

Once you have all of your tools ready to go, spread your tarp out underneath where you’re going to be working to help make clean-up easier – and you won’t want to have to scrape gutter gunk off of your lawn, so don’t skip this step! Next, place your ladder on a sturdy surface. Avoid landscaping rocks, as an aside, as they can always shift unexpectedly. Next, get to work scooping everything out! Flush the downspouts and gutters with a garden hose when you’re done cleaning them.

Downspouts 

Downspouts are often overlooked in the cleaning process. However, if they are clogged, they can create damage inside your home. Use your hose to run water down the spout. If it comes out slower than it goes in, you have a clog. You can get rid of it by pushing your hose up as far as it goes into the downspout, giving it full power. 

Remember to seal any leaks from seams or joints that you find during the cleaning process. This is also a good time to check the water flow of your gutter system, which may require some repositioning. Replace any split sections you come across. Looking for more information about gutter repair, gutter cleaning in Portland, or how to maintain them in general? The experienced team at Gutter Empire can help!

Deciding to invest in a home is no small feat. In addition to the financial commitment such a decision requires, the time commitment to maintaining your property is equally as concerning. One item that is often overlooked is a gutter. Gutters are usually made from copper, galvanized steel, aluminum, vinyl, or zinc. Vinyl is chosen most often to complement vinyl siding, but it is the least expensive, which is why it’s most likely to need repairs. And one of the last things that anyone wants to hear is that something has gone wrong and their home needs to be repaired. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many people, and when it comes to essential elements like gutter repair, you don’t want to wait for the fix. Let’s look at how to know when your gutters need to be repaired.

Gutter Repairing Needs when it Leaks

One of the easiest ways to determine if your gutters need a bit of help is to see whether or not they are leaking. There are several indicators that you may have leakage. If the gutter is cracked, sagging, loose, or damaged, water is running into your basement, there are cracks around the foundation (or puddles when it rains), your gutters are more than likely leaking. Untreated gutters can damage your landscape or the exterior of your home. Sometimes they may not even drain. Hopefully, your issue is a more straightforward fix. Let’s start by checking for leakage. You can do this by using a hose to flush through the pipes themselves. Don’t be surprised if you see something – when it comes to gutters.

Gutter Repairing Needs when it Damage Paint Job

When gutters are placed, they’re typically coated with a certain kind of paint to help them protect against moisture damage and rust. A little rust is repairable; a lot of rust says, “replace me!” Prevention is best with regular maintenance, such as cleaning out debris after the rainy season, scrubbing away minute areas of rust, and regularly checking for clogs. Painting your gutters is not just for aesthetics value; it can also strengthen the gutter itself. Make sure to use appropriate paint. Vinyl and aluminum gutters require different paint and cleaning methods. If the paint job is peeling, then something more might be going on. Make sure that you check your Gutters Cleaning, Portland, OR well – you never know when they might succumb to the weather. A little maintenance can add a lot of life!

Gutter Repairing needs when Foundation Damage

The entire point of gutters is to channel moisture away from your home so that your foundation remains dry. If you notice foundation damage, particularly mildew or water, then you might have an issue with your gutters. Take the time to inspect them well or to hire a team specializing in gutter cleaning in Portland. Left untreated, clogged gutters can lead to an infestation of bees, wasps, or mosquitos. It can also lead to interior damage to your walls or ceiling, and if your basement isn’t waterproof, it can lead to a damp basement. 

Many factors go into choosing gutters. Gutters come in a variety of shapes and two installation processes. There are European and K-Style, Fascia and Half-round. Half-round often overflows and clogs, making it the least desired option. To prevent gutter issues, get seamless gutters installed by a professional. Sectional gutters are available for do-it-yourself projects and are more likely to lead to costly repairs. The best part about it is you won’t have to worry about cleaning them. For more information about your gutters, how to maintain them, and how to repair them once you realize they require some help, reach out to the team at Gutter Empire today! We can help with all of your gutter cleaning needs.