Clean out your gutters to avoid flood damage in your Nashville home

12/11/2015 (Permalink)

As the temperature drops, we’re starting to see colder mornings and nights that will soon turn into us cleaning frost off of our windshields and making sure that the car is warm enough to sit in on the way to work. With the colder temperature also comes the harsher weather. It gets harder to stay out in the cold during these blustering days, especially when it’s for housework, but it’s important to stay on top of work that needs done to ensure your home is safe from flood or water damage.

With the gutters sitting way above eye level on your home, people sometimes forget that they need attention. Not cleaning your gutters can lead to excessive damage in the future. They are the important part of your home that keeps water away from your foundation and roof. If they aren’t cleaned properly or on a regular basis, they can clog up and cause overflow of water, forcing it into your home. The backup of material in your gutters can also lead to mold and bacteria growth.

Cleaning your gutters does not have to be done every other week or even every other month. It’s good to clean them biannually. Make sure that there is not a build up of leaves, twigs or even nesting materials from animals that will block water flow.

Depending on the size of your home, it can be an easy and quick process to complete, but obviously a tough job for someone who has a fear of heights. To clean your gutters, you’ll need a ladder tall enough to reach the top of your house, rubber gloves, a small rake, trash bag and a hose. QuickenLoans explains how to clean out your gutters properly with a few simple steps. 

1.     Set the ladder up so that you’re within safe reach of the gutter.

2.     With gloves on, start to remove the debris and either throw it directly into the trash bag or onto the ground to clean up later once you’re off the ladder.

3.     Once you’re done cleaning the section that is within your reach, climb down from the ladder and move it to the next section to repeat the same process.

4.     Once the gutters seem clear from all debris, hose them down to make sure that there is no extra debris stuck or clogged. This will also show you If there is a leak in your gutters that needs repaired.

If you don't feel comfortable cleaning your gutters on your own, contact a professional to help you out!