Changes And Upgrades That Will Make Your Gutters Easier To Keep Clean
Are you tired of having to clean your gutters twice a year, or maybe even more often? Each time you do it, you have to take the risk of climbing up a ladder, get your hands all covered in wet leaves and gunk, and then try to wrestle the hose nozzle into the gutter to rinse it out. It's enough to make anyone mad! Luckily, there are some changes you can make or have made to your gutters and associated home/yard setup that will reduce the accumulation of gunk in your gutters — meaning you'll only have to clean them out once a year if that. Take a look.
1. Have any holes repaired.
Before you buy any gutter add-ons or pay for other services, arrange to have any holes in your gutters patched or filled. These holes cause more trouble than you probably realize. By allowing water to drip out the middle of the gutter rather than flow towards the downspout, they keep the small debris from flowing out with the rush of the water. Have the holes fixed, and you'll get less debris accumulation.
2. Trim or remove offending trees.
If you have a tree overhanging your roof, you are going to get clogged gutters. There's really no way around it — other than having the tree removed. If only one branch overhangs the roof, you might be able to get away with having a tree service just remove that one branch. As an added bonus, this will protect your shingles from wear, too.
3. Have gutter guards installed.
Gutter guards are like screens that are placed over the top of your gutters. They keep larger pieces of debris from entering the gutters. The smaller stuff will still make its way in, but you should only have to clean your gutters once a year or so with gutter guards in place, which is a really big improvement.
There are a few different types of gutter guards. Some clip on the edge of your gutter and fold out like a book to allow you access to the gutter for cleaning. Others slide into place. Your gutter service technician can take a look at your home and recommend the best style for you.
You should not have to spend all of spring, summer, and fall cleaning your gutters. With some gutter guards, a few repairs, and the right attention paid to your trees, you can cut down on maintenance significantly. Contact a company like Drey Roofing to learn more.