Gutter Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Gutter problems are liable to catch you off guard. Most homeowners aren’t looking at the gutters every day—or even every week. Then you spot a problem like clogs, leaks or disconnected gutters, and you’re not sure what to do about it. Should you call in the professionals or do it yourself?

Below we’ll take a closer look at how to repair disconnected gutters.

Leaks

This is often because the gutters have become disconnected from each other or have disconnected from the downspouts. The fix for this problem is to reconnect wherever you see a leak. The other potential issue is that the gutter is cracked, which is more serious. First you have to find the crack; then you need to add sealant. If this doesn’t work, you’re likely looking at gutter replacement.

Clogs

There are two primary reasons that gutters clog. One is that there’s an excess of debris piling up in them. This is often the case following the fall, when leaves stack up in the gutters. Twigs, branches, dirt and other material can also cause this issue.

The other leading cause is that the gutters are sagging. This then causes water to pool in the gutters. When gutters no longer have their slight decline due to an excess of weight or loose nails, there will be poor water flow. Water will come in, but it won’t come out.

If you’re wondering how to unclog gutters, removing debris is the easier of the two to fix, though it’s still a hassle. You’ll need a ladder, a garden trowel, a hose and some heavy-duty work gloves. You only want to tackle this project during mild weather conditions—doing so during a rainstorm only adds danger. Remove the downspout extension, and use the trowel to remove any leaves.

Disconnected gutters

Gutters that are detached from the roof often become issues if they’re ignored. It’s only a matter of time before they become completely detached and are lying on the ground. This is typically due to excess pressure from snow and ice during the winter or excess debris in the spring and fall. The nails holding the gutters in place will have to be nailed back in to solve this issue.

Fallen gutters

If a disconnected gutter is ignored, heavy winds can knock it off the house. This will require a major repair. As long as the gutters aren’t attached to your roof, water will collect around the house. This could easily lead to damaged patio furniture and more serious problems like foundation issues.

Did you know that you can avoid all the hassle of traditional gutters? Say goodbye forever to the dangerous and unpleasant job of climbing ladders to fix gutters—and goodbye to paying someone else to do it.

Instead, invest in seamless, clog-free gutters made by Long Island LeafGuard Gutter Company. We offer the highest-quality, fully-integrated leaf filter and gutter system that’s guaranteed to protect your home. Contact us right now to learn more about our products and services.