Your gutters are a very important part of your home. They safely deter water away from your home to help keep you from any serious and costly damages such as foundation problems, structural issues, landscape erosion, and more. Water has the capability to pool up around the foundation of your home, leaking into areas that are supposed to stay dry, like the basement.
High winds, snow, ice, clogged gutters, and pests such as birds create damages to your gutter system that requires repairs. The main cause of all gutter repairs is gutter neglect. Neglecting your gutters for a couple of seasons or even years can cause them to become filled with debris. When downspouts are clogged, water cannot drain the correct way. This is where a lot of gutter related issues happen. When gutters are filled with water or wet debris and water, they become very heavy. This heavy weight puts a big burden on the hardware and fascia board, resulting in the gutter pulling themselves away from the wall.
If you haven’t inspected your gutters in quite some time, now is the time to do so before any damage occurs or before any current damage becomes worse.
Tips on How to Inspect Your Gutters
Inspecting gutters can be a daunting task because you may not know exactly what to look for. The following are some tips on how to inspect your gutters to see if any repairs need to be taken care of.
Recruit a Friend to Help
To inspect your gutters thoroughly, you are going to need to climb a ladder. Using proper ladder safety precautions is always recommended, and so is enlisting the help of a friend or family member to assist you. You will want to make sure the ladder is firmly planted on the ground and your assistant is holding the ladder still.
Clean Out Any Debris
Water tests will need to be done, but before doing so, you will need to clean out your gutters to free them of debris. Wash out smaller debris from the gutters by using a hose. Also make sure that bigger debris and any obstructions are cleaned out as well.
Inspect the Downspouts
Downspouts are an essential part of the gutter system. While you are on your ladder, make sure they are clear of debris and obstructions by spraying some water down them. This will quickly let you know if you have a problem that needs to be unclogged.
Check Around Your Home
Checking around your home for signs will give you an idea of whether you have gutter issues. Look out for standing water that is pooling around you home, as this could be a sign that your gutters are clogged, or they are not pitched right.
Search for Leaks
Leaks are a sign that there could be a slight hole in your gutter system. You might have to seal along seams or end caps to make sure that your seamless gutters are in great shape.
Contact a Gutter Specialist
Climbing a ladder to examine your gutters and make sure every is working the way it is supposed to can be overwhelming and dangerous. Hiring a professional gutter specialist can make things easier and safer, as well as fix any issues the right way.
Most homeowners do not want to take on the task of climbing a ladder, inspecting their gutters, and then attempting to fix any problems on their own. By hiring a professional gutter specialist, you could save money and not risk overlooking any current or potential issues. If you are searching for a company who takes pride in their work and values their customers, look no further. GutterPros was built on honor, integrity, and accountability, and our professional team members stand true to our motto of “No customer left behind!” Call us today at (314) 656-7195 to make an appointment with one of our specialists.