It’s that wonderful time of year when crocuses and daffodils begin stretching their arms up through the newly-thawed ground after their long winter nap. Tree branches burst with burgeoning buds and lawns turn emerald green virtually overnight. And those April showers that bring us May flowers are on their way, making this the perfect time to clean your gutters.
After the fall and winter months, your gutters are a mess, filled with leaves and debris that the wind and weather dropped there which by now, has begun to turn to an unsettling, nasty muck. If left on its own, more debris will collect and you’ll soon find yourself with an even bigger problem, a clog.
Clogged gutters are an expensive disaster waiting to happen. As stormwater cascades over your gutters, it causes wood rot, leaks in doors and windows, and damage to your siding. If left alone, the water could cause cracks in your foundation which get bigger when water gets in and freezes. The best thing to do is stop clogs before they happen and there are two ways to do this.
Clean Them Out
Cleaning your gutters regularly can keep the water flowing freely through the downspout and away from your home where it can do damage. Depending on where you live and the proximity of trees to your house, this may need to be done seasonally, bi-annually, or annually. If the thought of climbing up on a rickety ladder to clean your gutters causes you anxiety, you’re not alone. That’s why there are gutter companies that are more than happy to do it for you.
Get Some Protection
Leaf protection can prevent leaves and debris from collecting in your gutters and although it won’t completely eliminate the need for cleanings, it will greatly reduce their frequency. Some types of leaf protection are:
Perforated Aluminum Guards
These are sheets of aluminum with holes punched in them that are installed flat on the gutter. They let water through and keep leaves and other debris out.
Solid Gutter Covers
Reverse Curve gutters have an edge that, as water flows into the gutter, any leaves and debris fall to the ground. They’re installed above the gutter to the edge of your roof. Pine needles may stick to the surface area of the water and go in the gutter so they aren’t a good choice if you have a lot of pine trees around your house.
Micromesh Gutter Guards
Micromesh guards use a fine, stainless steel mesh installed on top of the gutter and work well to keep even pine needles out.
Foam and Brush Guards
Foam guards and brush guards are long tubes of foam or bristle brushes that are set inside the gutter itself, allowing water to come in while keeping debris out. Installation is easy, it’s just a matter of cutting them to the right length and dropping them in, but bristles tend to impale leaves while foam breaks down quickly in the elements. It’s probably better to avoid these if you’re looking for a long-term solution.
Whatever form of leaf protection you choose, Gutter Pros can help. GutterPros is a full-service gutter company that specializes in commercial gutters, copper gutters, and leaf protection. Our technicians can clean and inspect your gutters and install the right leaf protection that will keep those April showers from causing clogs. Call Gutter Pros at (314)656-7195 and schedule an appointment today.