The escape from the freezing temperatures of winter means dealing with the heavy rains of spring, Those showers can present problems for your home, so you should take the steps necessary to ensure your house is protected from the damage water can do during those storms.
There are several important steps you can take to eliminate the damage water can do to your home’s roof and foundation before the rainy season begins. The most important protection you have are the gutters around your roof that help move water away from the structure. In order to ensure they continue to protect your house, you should take some time before the heaviest rains arrive to clear away branches that hang over your house, make sure your gutters are free from debris that may clog them and decide to install gutter guards.
Investing time and money in your gutter system is an important maintenance step for your home that will help preserve its value and reduce costly repairs in the future. Poorly performing gutter systems cannot divert dangerous water away, which can lead to damage to your roof, erosion around your foundation and growth of mold and mildew around the exterior of your house.
Consider taking these basic steps when preparing your home for the rains that will surely come this year.
Trim nearby trees
Tree branches that hang over or near your house can cause problems for your gutters and for you. The leaves and debris, like acorns and twigs, that fall from those branches can end up inside your gutters. They can clog or hinder the flow of water in your gutters, and that can make it hard for water to be directed away from the roof and the house. Make sure there is a distance of at least six feet between your house and nearby tree branches. Walk the area around your house and identify branches that come too close so that they can be trimmed. You won’t eliminate all leaves, twigs, pine needles and other debris from entering your gutters, but you will greatly reduce the amount that ends up in there and you will ensure your gutters can do the job of diverting dangerous water away.
Clean your gutters
It’s a messy job, but someone has to do it. It’s important to scoop out any clutter inside the gutters caused by leaves and other debris before the heavy rains come. This can be a dangerous job, too, so be careful when you get on that ladder and start the job. Try scooping out the big items from inside the gutters and washing out the rest that’s left behind with a hose to ensure that you clear the gutters as much as possible. Because this can be a tedious and dangerous task, it might be worth hiring someone to clean the gutters out for you. You can also find a worker or a company who will trim your trees and clean your gutters for you all at once, sparing you the hassles and dangers from both tasks.
Install gutter guards
The best way to avoid the tedious, dangerous and, often, expensive tasks of caring for your gutters is to invest in a gutter guard system. A gutter guard system offers a solution to a number of problems, including the hassles of regularly cleaning them, the expense of regular maintenance, the dangers associated with regular maintenance, and the protection offered to the value of your home. Some gutter guard systems can be installed after the service cleans your gutters for you and eliminates the nearby branches that can cause problems in the future. The investment will soon pay for itself by reducing maintenance and the related expenses. Gutter guards also can provide a sleek design that compliments the exterior of your home while providing protection by allowing the gutters to properly divert water away from the roof and your home’s exterior.
