Gutters are a necessity for protecting your roof and keeping your home’s foundation protected from water damage. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t think about their gutters until there is a problem. The best way to protect your investment and avoid expensive repairs is to regularly inspect and maintain your gutters.
The following are some common gutter maintenance tips for the winter:
Inspect the gutters for signs of wear and tear. Look for cracks, rusting or missing parts that could be allowing water to enter the home's interior.
Clear out any leaves or debris from the gutters. Make sure you don't miss any spots, especially on roofs with multiple levels because debris can collect in hard-to-reach areas like valleys where two sections of roof meet without having an open seam between them.
Inspect your gutters for damage and repair them before they become an issue. Look for cracks or holes that may be caused by tree branches or fallen limbs. If you don't see any cracks yet but there is visible damage from storms or ice dams, consider having your gutters replaced before winter arrives so you don't have to worry about them breaking while it's freezing outside.
Check the flashing around your roof eaves and make sure it's not damaged or missing pieces — this can cause leaks when ice dams form during cold weather. If you find any issues with flashing, contact an experienced roofer immediately so they can fix it before winter weather arrives.
Ice dams can cause major damage to your home and even lead to a roof leak. They occur when melted snow and ice build up along the edge of your roof and freeze again when it gets cold outside. This causes water to back up behind the dam and leak into your house through the ceiling.
Winter storms can cause huge amounts of damage if they aren't taken care of properly beforehand. When heavy snow falls or freezing rain starts falling from the sky, it can create dangerous conditions on the ground if it isn't cleared properly. The weight of all that snow can easily tear off gutters or collapse roofs if they aren't supported properly by strong metal supports inside your home's walls or attic space.
Clean Gutters Before It Snows Or Rains: Cleaning out your gutters before it snows or rains is one of the best ways to keep them clear throughout the winter months. If you wait until after the first big snowfall or rainstorm of the season, you'll likely have a lot more work ahead of you than if you cleaned them out beforehand.
