Marietta Gutter Cleaning

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The main reason we have gutters on our buildings is to divert and direct water away from the foundation, which helps prevent water and ice from damaging our homes. Proper maintenance of these drainage systems is crucial to their effectiveness. If they are blocked, damaged, broken or not properly hung, water won't go where it needs to and you'll be dealing with water where you don't want it. Fortunately, it's easy to maintain gutters yourself.

Regular maintenance doesn't require a huge time commitment. Follow these cleaning steps twice a year - in the spring and fall - and your gutters will be running free and clear.

Clear the area around the downspout so there's nothing to block the debris you are about to flush down the spout.

Remove sticks, leaves, pine needles and debris from the troughs with a gardening trowel, scoop or gloved hands. Resist the urge to wash it all down with a hose; that can cause the downspout to clog.

Once the debris inside has been removed, then you can hose the gutter down, forcing the water toward the downspout. There shouldn't be much solid material going down. It should mostly be a muddy water mix.

Watch for areas where water pools. All water should flow freely toward the downspout without puddling anywhere along the way. If you do see puddling, the gutters need to be adjusted. You can attempt this yourself or hire a contractor who performs gutter repair and installation to help you.

Turn the hose on full blast on the strongest setting and point it into the downspout opening. This will clean the downspout and flush out any residual debris that may have lodged inside.

Sometimes, gutters need some tweaks and adjustments to work properly. Common problems that can be repaired on your own are:

Loose gutters. Tighten or replace the screws holding the hangers in place. Use gutter screws for the best possible holding power.

Leaks. Use silicone gutter sealant on small cracks and joints that leak. Sealant works on vinyl or metal and can be found at any hardware store.

Clogged Downspout. Start at the bottom and pull debris out. Once it loosens up, blast the hose in from the bottom to clear out any further debris. Once water starts coming out of the top of the downspout, you know your clog has been cleared. If the clog is particularly troublesome, use a plumber's snake to clear the jam or remove the downspout and take a look inside.

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Marietta Gutter Cleaning