Leaves are falling, the air is crisper, and holidays are just around the corner. Cleaning the gutters in the fall gets your home exterior ready to protect you and your family through the winter months and all year round.
Check the Roof
Do a visual check of the roof from the ground before cleaning the gutters and after any major storm. Grab a pair of binoculars. If you need to get closer, use a ladder and the binoculars to safely inspect the roof without having to actually walk on it. Check for loose shingles, damaged flashing, and moss growth, a sign that water isn’t draining off the roof the way it should.
Also look for any accumulation of debris around chimneys and skylights and in roof valleys. Plan on removing any twigs, leaves, needles, and cones. Sweeping off the roof before gutter cleaning safeguards against debris blowing back into the gutters
Clean the Gutters
Cleaning the gutters in the fall ensures that runoff can flow through the gutter channels and out of the downspouts without being blocked. Regular gutter cleaning prevents overflowing, standing water, sagging or missing sections, and serious damage to your home’s exterior such basement flooding, shifting foundation, and compromised structural integrity.
Tips for cleaning the gutters safely and easily include:
- Use a reliable ladder – set it up on even, stable ground
- Wear the proper clothing – work gloves, safety goggles, slip-proof footwear
- Be safe – avoid standing directly on the roof; no overreaching; maintain 3-point contact when climbing up or down the ladder
- Remove debris with hands or a gutter scoop
- Rinse gutters inside the channel to get rid of anything left behind
Clean the Downspouts
When rinsing the gutters, check to see if the water flows quickly out of the downpipes. Downspouts need to be freer of any obstructions. If runoff just trickles out of the downspout, there’s a blockage somewhere inside the pipe that needs removing. Look for debris around the gutter outlet; use a plumber’s auger to clear away blockages inside the downspout.
Do a Hardware Check
Exposure to the elements can take its toll on the gutters. Also, a combination of water and debris flowing through a gutter system can put stress on fasteners, nails, and brackets holding the downspouts and gutters in place. Make sure your gutters and downpipes are securely attached to the fascia and siding. Tighten any hardware and replace any fasteners that are missing or showing signs of damage (rusting, misshapen, cracked).
Do a Tree Inspection
Especially after the last three dry, hot summers we experienced in the lower mainland, check trees on your property for any signs of failing health such as leaning, fungi growth, peeling bark, and broken limbs due to aging or growth abnormalities. Trim back trees growing near the roof, gutters, and siding to prevent branches from damaging the gutter system.
Extend the Life of Your Gutters
Here are some helpful tips to extend the life of your gutters:
- Know how often you should gutter clean – if you have lots of trees, live in an industrial area, or are next to a busy highway, you might need to clean the gutters more than twice a year
- Inspect the roof and gutters after each change of the season
- Do a visual inspection – roof and gutters – after a rain or snow storm
- Repair gutters and downspouts as soon as you realize there’s an issue – postponing only makes the problem more expensive
- If you DIY gutter cleaning, have the gutter system inspected and assessed by a professional gutter contractor once every three to five year
