Now that most of the leaves have fallen, go outside and take a good look at your gutters. If you haven’t recently cleaned them, I guarantee that your gutters are brimming full of leaves, twigs and other debris. While the weather is still decent and before the big freeze sets in, it is imperative that you clear your gutters and the openings to your downspouts.
I know that cleaning your gutters is not the way you want to spend your Saturday, but there are many reasons why it’s worth the aggravation. The purpose of gutters and downspouts is to keep the rainwater flowing away from your foundation. If water is flowing up and over your gutters, it can cause wood siding to rot, mold problems to arise, and foundation walls can over time crack – allowing seepage into your basement.
While you’re cleaning your gutters check to make sure the brackets holding the gutter are securely fastened to the fascia to ensure the water is not draining between the gutter and the fascia – this too can cause the same amount of damage.
These simple tasks of regular gutter maintenance can determine the long term “health” of your home.