Winter is just around the corner. If you live in a region that experiences cold temperatures, ice, and snow, then you are probably prepping your home for the weather conditions to come over the next few months. Cleaning and preparing your home’s gutter system for winter will help protect your home from potential damage due to the season’s weather conditions. Here are six tips for cleaning your home’s gutter system before winter.
1. Clean on a Nice Day
You will not want to wait until the weather gets bad to clean your gutters. Rather, you should clean them on a day when the weather is nice. Ideally, homeowners will clean and prepare their gutter system for the winter towards the end of autumn. Completing outdoor chores is always better when the outdoor temperature is between 40°F and 60°F, rather than when it drops below freezing. Not only is it easier to clean gutters when you aren’t up against cold winds, but you also do not have to wear a bulky coat or gloves that make the cleaning process more difficult.
2. Have the Necessary Supplies
Before you begin prepping your gutters for winter, you will want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Of course, you will need a sturdy ladder and a garbage bag for the leaves; however, there are additional tools you will want to keep on hand. Carrying a trowel or garden fork will help you remove the leaves, twigs, and debris. In addition, wearing gloves will protect your hands and arms from scratches as well as keep them warm and dry from damp, cold leaves. You should have a screwdriver handy, as well, because you may need to tighten screws if the gutters or downspouts are loose. You may even need to replace or add screws and nuts, so you will also want to have a few spares of each of these.
3. Clear the Gutter System of Leaves and Debris
After collecting all the supplies and tools you will need, you will be ready to scale the ladder and start the cleaning process. Be sure to clear out all the leaves, twigs, and other debris that have built up in the gutters throughout the summer and autumn months. Doing a thorough job helps prevent potential damage from the weight of leaves in addition to snow and ice.
Although cleaning the gutters before winter is important, there may be times throughout the season when you will need to clear the gutters of snow and ice. The weight could cause expensive damages to the gutter system, roof, siding, and foundational wall. The best thing you can do to protect your home is to be proactive and inspect your gutters throughout the winter.
4. Inspect the Gutters for Wear, Tear, or Damage
While cleaning the gutters, you should examine the system for any wear, tear, or damage. Check for structural damages in the fascia, siding, or foundation, such as cracks or fractures. You should also check for any water damage like leaks, rot, or mold. Any of these things could be a sign that your home needs a new gutter system.
If you notice any impairments, get them repaired as soon as possible to help keep the problem from worsening. A small crack or leak in your gutter system can quickly escalate to a more severe and costly problem if it goes unrepaired.
5. Adjust the Gutters
While you are cleaning your home’s gutter system, it is a great time to make small fixes, such as tightening or replacing screws when needed. Making these small adjustments protects your gutters from further damage and ensures the gutter system is sturdy enough for snow and ice throughout the winter months.
6. Install Gutter Guards and Add Other Extensions
After thoroughly cleaning your gutter system, you should add gutter guards and additional extensions that are necessary to keep your gutters in good shape until spring. Various types of gutter guards will help keep leaves and debris out of your gutters, including screens, surface tensions, and fine mesh guards. However, these guards should be replaced periodically. It may be necessary to swap out or add downspouts or splash blocks. These things will benefit your home in the spring when the snow and ice begin to melt because they drive water away from the foundation of the home.
Owning a home requires a lot of maintenance, but it is still easy to neglect the gutter system. These tips and tricks will help keep your gutter system in good condition and your home safe from damages.
Thanks for sharing all of these helpful tips.