Summer can often bring about violent storms and ensuring that your gutters are prepared for the conditions is an important part of being a homeowner. With high winds, heavy rain, and occasional hail your gutters need to be in good shape to withstand the summer storms. Ensure that your gutters are prepared with these 5 steps.
1. Inspect For Any Obvious Damage
If it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned or checked your gutters there may be some obvious damage that can be seen from the yard or with a little closer look. Inspect your gutters from below and also with a ladder up close to see if you notice any immediate damage. Ensure that your gutters are not leaking or rusted. Also ensure that your gutters are not sagging and are firmly attached to your home. Any obvious damage should be inspected and handled as soon as possible to prevent any further costly repairs.
2. Clean Debris Out Of Gutters
Gutters can get clogged up with debris no matter what season it is. Start by cleaning out your gutters thoroughly or hiring a professional to clean them for you. Sticks, leaves, dirt, animals, and other things can prevent water from flowing through your gutters properly. Ensuring that your gutters are not clogged will help the rain to flow easily through your gutters during summer storms.
3. Check For Standing Water In Gutters
Checking for standing water in gutters is important. Ensuring that water can flow through smoothly is very important when it comes to the harsh summer storms. Use a water test to check your gutters for standing water. Use your hose or a small bucket of water and pour it down your gutters to ensure that there is no debris or problems with the flow of the water. If you find that water is standing or moving slowly you may have a problem with the slope of your downspouts and should call a professional to get that inspected and fixed.
4. Check Downspouts
Downspouts can often get clogged with debris and effect the flow of water in the gutters. Summer is a perfect time to get the hose out and spray the insides of your downspouts. Start by disconnecting the downspouts to any underground pipes. Then begin to hose them out ensuring that the water flows all the way through. This will ensure that there is no debris clogged in there and ensure that your home will be able to withstand summer storms.
5. Inspect Seams, Joints, And Ends
Leaking gutters are not going to be able to withstand all of the water a summer storm brings. Leaking gutters will only get worse as the summer storms hit and will ultimately lead to even more costly repairs. The water that is leaked through the gutters builds up in places around your home such as your driveway, yard, and walk ways. Water around your home can lead to water seeping into your home and causing even more costly damage. Inspect your gutters for holes, gaps, or cracked sealant. If you find any problems or suspect you might have call a professional to come inspect and fix the problem for you ensuring that your yard and home will be safe through summer storms.
Ensuring that your gutters are ready for summer is important. Summer is the time to enjoy the outdoors and go on vacations, not spend money on costly repairs caused by damaged gutters. Don’t let the summer storms get the best of your home or your wallet. Take the steps needed now to ensure your home will be ready for summer and the storms to come. The Gutter Pros can help to ensure that your gutters are in the best shape to protect your home this summer.
Call the Gutter Pros for all your gutter needs today at 443-880-4831.
This post first appeared on http://www.thegutterpros.net