Tips on how to choose the best gutters and keep them clean
Gutters are an integral part of every house. That’s why knowing how to choose the right gutters and how to maintain them so they can last for a long time, is very important. They’re designed to prevent water from dripping or flowing off the roof in an uncontrolled manner. When left unattended, meaning dirty and clogged, they can cause serious damage to your home.
If your gutters are old and already damaged beyond repair, it’s time to invest in new ones. Here are a few things you should know before replacing your gutters.
Hire professionals
Finding someone you trust to replace your gutters is not an easy task. In fact, it can be a time-consuming and quite stressful process. If you have friends or family that recently installed gutters, you can always ask them for advice or recommendations.
Another idea is to conduct online research to find gutter contractors. Regardless of which option you choose, one thing you need to keep in mind is to look for local professionals as they are familiar with the area, meaning they will be able to give you expert guidance.
Anything from choosing the best material to tips on how to extend the lifespan of your gutters, hiring local gutter contractors comes with numerous benefits.
Choosing the type of gutters
When purchasing new gutters, it’s important to consider the different types so you know what will fit your home. If you’re looking for the best option, it might just be metal gutters. Instead of choosing pricey, maintenance-heavy wood troughs or short-lived vinyl gutters, it would be good to consider elegant copper, rugged steel, understated zinc, or affordable aluminum.
When choosing the material for your gutters, consider these three main factors: the location of your home, the type of house, and the look you want to achieve. There’s a wide range of guttering supplies to suit the needs of your project. For example, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance system that’s easy to install, go for steel guttering. However, many people choose aluminum due to its high strength and low weight.
If you’re thinking about a reliable and low-cost guttering system, then you should choose plastic guttering. It’s not only easy to install but can withstand extreme weather conditions and temperatures without becoming damaged or worn. If you live in an area with high rainfall, you should opt for plastic guttering since the material is great at handling high volumes of water. Keep in mind that cast iron guttering can last for over 100 years if it’s correctly installed. If you’re looking for stylish ones, consider copper guttering.
How to keep the gutters clean
Gutters are key to keeping water away from your home. To function properly, they must be free of debris and dirt. Thankfully, there are plenty of effective ways to clean them, some of which don’t even require a ladder.
Clean gutters from the ground
Although it may take a little more time to clean the gutters from the ground, the process works well and is by far the safest cleaning method. The two primary methods require a garden hose or a shop-type wet/dry vacuum, and a few handy attachments.
As long as the gutters are not thoroughly clogged, you can clean them with a garden hose. However, it has to be equipped with the proper attachment—a rigid tube with a curved end. You might also want to try experimenting with a wet/dry vacuum for removing debris from your gutters. Remember, once you’ve removed the bulk of the material, you can flush the downspout and gutters with water from a garden hose.
Install gutter guards
Apart from cleaning your gutters regularly, you should think about installing gutter guards. They come in various styles to fit your specific needs. Gutter guards provide enhanced gutter protection by keeping debris out and eliminating leaks. Some of them will never need to be cleaned since the debris and dirt are kept out.
They are built to keep debris and animals like nesting birds out of the structure. People that live in areas that are heavily populated with trees, should consider installing leaf guards, so they can prevent leaves and large pieces of debris from clogging up their gutters.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right gutters for your home is easier once you hire professionals to do it. In addition, learning how to clean them doesn’t have to be difficult or unsafe. There are plenty of ways to get the leaves out of the gutters before they clog and lead to gutter damage. The best method would be one you’re comfortable with, meaning one that’s safe and effective.
