The last few days have been pretty stormy, with high winds and heavy rainfalls. Your gutters can take a beating. Use this checklist to make sure that the gutter system has weathered this storm and is ready for anything else coming our way.
Roof
Gutters are part of the roofing system. Check the roof for any objects that might harm roofing tiles or gutter sections if blown around by the wind.
Look for loosened tiles or shingles. If there are a lot of them loose and/or missing, the roof might need to be repaired sooner rather than later.
Ensure flashings (weatherproofing material) are still attached; soffit and fascia haven’t been compromised.
Gutters
Inspect the length of the gutters for loose brackets and screws. Because loosened brackets and screws might not be so obvious to the naked eye, push on them to see if they move. If they do, even the slightest, tighten them. Brackets keep the gutter sections in place; properly secured brackets and tightened screws prevent gutters from pulling away from the fascia.
Check the gutter channel for large clumps of debris and other objects that could potentially clog the gutters. Especially if you’ve cleaned the gutters or had them cleaned earlier this fall, and there is already a lot of leaves and twigs, it’s not too late to install some type of leaf protection like Alu-Rex leaf guard.
Downspouts
Make sure the downpipe is securely fastened to the wall and that it hasn’t been damaged in any way.
Look for clogs at the mouth of the downspout and at the top where it connects to the gutters. If your gutter system has more than one, check all of the downspouts.
Inspect any downspout extenders for debris buildup and damage. Check to see if it is still connected to the downpipe.
