Have You Cleaned Your Gutters Yet?

Your gutters are the unsung protectors of your home. On the surface, they’re a simple structural addition included with any home, but the job of channeling water away from your home is more important than you may have realized. Without them, the gentlest shower could give water an opportunity to seep into your foundation and rot your wood frame. So, you could say, gutters are a pretty big deal.

As you may have guessed, the structural soundness of your home is a big deal to the Orlando drywall repair team at New Ceilings. While the weather is drier than usual, it’s a great time to clean out your gutters. Here are a couple of tips for the job:

• Safety first. Cleaning out the gutters involves a lot of standing on a ladder and scooping out gunk. It’s always a good idea to make safety a priority, especially when heights are involved. That means ensuring your ladder is positioned on level ground, your shoes are sturdy, and you’re wearing safety glasses. Also, be sure to check for nearby safety lines before you start.

• Start at a downspout. Our team recommends starting the cleaning process at a downspout, scooping out the big stuff (with gloves!) as you work your way down. When you reach the end, grab a hose with a spray nozzle and blast the dirt toward the downspout, letting it drain away.
• Hit a clog? Hopefully, all the dirt and debris washed away with the hose. If not, however, you’ll notice the water not draining properly. When you find a clog, you need to work from the bottom of the downspout and spray the clog upwards to release it. Particularly stubborn clogs may require the use of a plumber’s snake or a similar tool.

Be sure to check your work after the job is done. You should be able to see water flowing freely from the downspout – if there’s a clog, your gutters will be spilling over. Take the time to clean out your gutters this month – your drywall will thank you!