Gutter maintenance is not a favorite household task for many homeowners - especially those who have a fear of heights. However, learning to inspect and clean your gutters now can save you plenty of money down the road. How? Clogged gutters allow water to spill over the edges and pool near the foundation of your home.

Soaker hoses that keep the soil around your foundation from drying out are a good thing. A flood of water that turns the entire area into mud can be very bad. Unstable soil conditions may cause your foundation to shift - repairs can cost thousands of dollars. To avoid this, follow these simple steps:

• Trim your trees so that the branches end 3 feet from the edge of your roof. This will limit the amount of leaf and twig debris that falls into your gutters.
• Put on your rain coat and do a full inspection of your gutters during your next heavy rain storm. Note areas where water is running over the sides instead of down the spouts. These are indications of clogging. Also, look for seams that are not properly sealed. These will be dripping.
• Set up your ladder and test it for stability before climbing up to look in your gutters. Have a friend or family member standing by just in case you fall. Only climb up far enough to peek over the edge of the gutter.
• Some home maintenance specialists recommend using a hose with a spray nozzle to wash clogged material out. Others say this can cause leaves and twigs to lodge in the drain pipes where they will be difficult to remove. Try to scoop out most of the debris by hand and then rinse the rest of it out with the hose.
• Use gutter caulk to fix any seams that need sealing. For more complex repairs or if you aren’t sure how to do this, call a handyman. The cost of repairing (or even replacing) your gutters is not high if you shop around.

Learn to professionally fabricate and properly install aluminum rain gutters.
First, load the roll of coil stock aluminum right to the gutter extruding machine. Then turn on the machine and allow the machine to form about 4 feet of gutter, then immediately turn off the machine. Apply silicone adhesive around inside edge of the aluminum end cap. Use hammer if necessary to lightly tap end cap onto end of gutter for tight fit.

Pinch the end cap onto the gutter using a crimping tool. Now run a bead of silicone along seam where end cap joins the inside of the gutter. Turn the gutter-extruding machine back on to produce the desired length of gutter. Turn off machine and mark the location of the downspout outlet on the inside of the gutter. Use hammer to punch out downspout hole using manual downspout cutter.

Spread silicone adhesive generously around flange of downspout outlet. Wipe dry the area around the hole in the gutter, after which install the downspout outlet. Cut the gutters length by using the machine’s forward-pull guillotine cutter. Install the other end cap onto the remaining gutter end, again using the silicone adhesive and finally the crimping tool.

Place aluminum drop on clips by spacing them every 2 to 3 feet. Holding the gutter against the house fascia, making sure it pitches down toward the downspout ½ inch for every 10 feet of gutter. Fasten gutter to the house with hex-head screws through the hole in the drop-on clips attaching them to the fascia.

Protect your house from debris in your rain gutters

Today you have many choices when it comes to keeping debris out of your rain gutter. Let’s take a look at a couple of the leading products on the market today.

Gutter Sentry – This option allows you to add the filtration system to your existing gutters and downspouts with out replacing the entire gutter. To get the warranties with other companies, they often require you to replace the entire system with their system. This can be a very expensive option. Gutter Sentry is promoted to stop damage to your fascia boards, siding and landscape due to water run off and overflow. This system comes in custom made 5” and 6” gutters, and does not attach to the actual roof. Products that attach to the roofing material will have to be removed when the roof is redone.

GutterMaxx – This option offers free quotes. GutterMaxx proclaims to be the only self-flushing system, with two water entry points. Installation is relatively easy since it comes with a unique yet convenient snap-on, snap-off cover. This system was designed to help protect your home against rot and water filtration to your fascia, as well as overhanging areas. This option also has a quality look to the gutters on your home.

LeafGuard – This system offers one piece construction that is seamless. LeafGuard promotes it’s product as the only one piece covered gutter system. This option is said to be 20% thicker than regular gutters. LeafGuard also claims to be the only gutter system with the Good Housekeeping Seal. Company offers a no clog warranty. This is a guarantee that the system will not clog with leaves, pine needles or any other organic debris for the life of your house. The company will clean any debris build up if this takes place.  

Cleaning out your rain gutters is a task that should be done a couple times a year. This will help prevent any major clogs from occurring. A clog in your gutters can cause a lot of problems. One problem that can be caused by clogged gutters is damage to your roof. The wood can become rotted due to setting water. Clogged gutters are also a fire hazard. Dried leaves that accumulate over time can become ignited very easily.

Rain gutters are fairly easy to clean. It is recommended that you use gloves while cleaning because gutters often have sharp metal pieces. You will only need a few tools to clean out your gutters. A small trowel, a water hose, and a ladder should get the job done. If you have a clog in your gutter system, you will need a snake to remove it. Cleaning your gutters often will help reduce the chances of developing any clogs.

The process of cleaning out your rain gutters will take you a while. You will want to allow at least a full day to complete this job. The amount of time that this job takes really does depend on the size of your home and how large your gutter system is. Make sure that while you are cleaning out your gutters that you do not reach too far while standing on the ladder. Many home injuries happen when people fall off ladders.