Gutters are designed to prevent water damage to your home. Functional gutters move water away from your home and its foundation. Like every other component of your roofing system, your gutters need periodic maintenance to work at their best.
Regular maintenance eliminates issues and prevents potential problems from occurring. Well maintained gutters last longer than those that are maintained once in a while or not maintained at all.
Here are some gutter maintenance tips from tile roof repair experts in Antioch.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters are exposed to the elements and can easily become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. Clogged gutters are unable to drain properly and can overflow during rainstorms.
To eliminate accumulated durst, dirt, and debris such as dry leaves and twigs, thoroughly clean your gutters with a garden hose. Install gutter guards designed to trap dirt and dust before they enter your gutter system, simplifying maintenance.
Remove Vacated Nests
Oftentimes pests build nests in gutters. Bird nests are fragile and can break inside your gutters, damaging them. If wasps have built nests on or around your gutters, they can fall off and end up in your gutters when the swarm leaves, clogging or damaging them.
If you notice any signs of pest activity, inspect your gutters thoroughly. If you think the nests are vacant, remove them. Do not remove bird nests that are still occupied or you may end up inadvertently breaking the law.
Search for wasp nests. Do not try to remove wasp nests yourself as wasps may sting you. Instead, reach out to a professional for help.
Look for Gaps, Cracks, Leaks, and Openings
To check your gutters for gaps, pour water over them using a garden hose. Be sure to distribute water throughout your gutters or you may miss tiny leaks. If water exits via seams, openings, or cracks, conduct a thorough inspection to identify the root cause of the problem. A thorough inspection will reveal the underlying issue.
If you spot any drooping, use pliers to make adjustments. Rusty spots may indicate a serious underlying issue. Before things get out of hand, hire a tile roof contractor for roof repair in Antioch.
Thoroughly inspect your gutters for leaks every time after cleaning them. If you spot any prominent openings, you might have a leak. More often than not leaks are caused by faulty elbows. If your elbows are damaged and are not working properly, have them replaced. Be sure to do this after you’ve cleaned your gutters or dirt, dust and debris can get inside your downspouts, clogging them.
During an inspection, check if your gutters are detached. Lightly pull your gutter parts, if they are firmly attached, you have nothing to worry about. However, if they come off easily it’s time to call an expert.
Check for Mold and Mildew
Gutters can cause mold and mildew to grow on your roof. Mold can affect the habitability of your home while also causing health issues. When inhaled, mold spores can irritate the eyes, throat, and the membranes lining the nasal passages. In people allergic to mold and with asthma, inhaling mold spores can cause an asthma flare-up. Long term exposure to mold has been associated with more serious health problems such as difficulty concentrating.
If you find mildew or mold growing in your gutters, use a power washer to clean them thoroughly. To properly clean your gutters, use a cleaning solution that consists of both bleach and water. If you have no experience of handling mold, reach out to a professional for help.
Repair Drooping As Soon As Possible
Are your gutters drooping at certain points? Address the problem as soon as possible. Ignoring gutter drooping could prove to be a costly mistake. If you fail to take swift action, things can take a turn for the worse and your gutters can sustain serious damage.
Regularly Inspect Your Downspouts
Your downspouts allow water from your gutters to reach the ground without dripping or splashing down on your home. Dysfunctional downspouts can damage your gutter system and you might have to replace it. Faulty downspouts can impede the flow of water, causing water to infiltrate vulnerable areas in your home.
When inspecting your downspouts, look for leaks. Check for signs of clogs and structural damage. Look for rusty spots. Rust can quickly become a big problem, causing major structural damage and can warrant full replacement. If you spot signs of rust, have a roofing contractor inspect your gutters as soon as possible.
Check Your Gutters for Structural Inconsistencies
Over time, your gutters can warp and can even bend or twist out of shape. To check your gutters for structural issues, pour water inside them. If water moves with ease within your downspouts and beyond, you have nothing to worry about. However, if water builds up in certain areas try tweaking the positioning of your gutters. If the problem persists, consult your roofing contractor.
Watch Out For Signs of Erosion and Flooding
Do not ignore signs of erosion or flooding close to the foundation of your property or your downspouts. When erosion occurs, place splash blocks below your downspouts to divert water away from them.
Install Gutter Guards
The main purpose of gutter guards is to prevent gutters from becoming clogged with debris. You cannot install your gutter guards and forget them and must have a professional periodically clean and maintain them. Regular maintenance will keep your gutter guards intact and fully functional.
Roof Tile Custom Specialists consists of seasoned roofing experts who have experience with all types of tile roofs. We have decades of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing different types of tile roofs. To learn more, call us at(925) 634-8700.