The Few and the Fearless: A Blog About Roofers

Gutters along the roof line serve an important purpose when it comes to managing water runoff from the roof. Caring for them properly keeps them working well and in good condition.

Spring

After the rigors of winter weather, spring cleaning is in order. Any debris that blew into the gutters over the winter months needs to be scooped out. Downspouts, in particular, need to be checked for blockages since twigs and dead leaves can become lodged inside of them.

An inspection is also a good idea in spring since winter snow loads and storms can cause gutter damage. Run a hose into the gutter trough and look for leaks that indicate that seams need to be resealed before spring and summer rain storms arrive.

Summer

Summer doesn't usually require a lot of gutter maintenance. Periodic inspections are usually sufficient to make sure no new leaks or blockages have formed that need to be addressed. It's especially important to inspect after violent summer storms, as falling tree branches or hail may cause damage.

The warm months are an ideal time if you are planning to replace your gutters, though. The extended periods of dry weather give your gutter installer the necessary time to properly fit and adjust the gutters without concerns of bad weather moving in.

Fall

Fall is the main season for gutter maintenance. Autumn leaves can quickly clog gutters and downspouts, leading to overflows that can damage your house. Gutters will need to be cleaned out at least once in the fall months to guard against this. All debris needs to be cleaned out of the gutters and downspouts before the first freeze arrives, otherwise it can be difficult to get the gutters clean.

Consider installing a leaf guard over the top of the gutter troughs if you have a lot of trees on your property. This will help guard against clogs and make the gutters easier to clean. This is also a good time to inspect the fasteners to make sure the guttering isn't loose.

Winter

Take caution if you need to do any gutter work in winter, as this is a dangerous season to be on a ladder. Fortunately, very little maintenance should be needed once the weather turns cold.

At most, monitor the gutters for the formation of icicles and ice dams. Ice blocking the gutters can cause backflow of snow melt on the roof, thus leading to roof leaks. If the gutters become blocked with ice but the snow is starting to melt on the roof, a professional can use gentle heat or an ice melt product to clear them.

Contact a home gutter maintenance service such as CB Gutter Cleaning for more assistance throughout the year.