As fall approaches, my husband and I would like you to give us some advice on the best way to care for our home’s gutter system. Every year we debate the merits of simply removing the gutters from our home. Can you tell I’m not a fan of gutters? Thank you.
Signed, No Gutter Fan
A: Dear No Gutter Fan,
I sensed that, however, the key words here are “gutter system.” The efficiency, safety and functionality of your home depends on a number of different systems working properly — electrical, plumbing, water — as well as your gutter system. Properly managing storm water runoff not only protects your roof, it also reduces potential water penetration into your home’s walls and foundation.
While I too dislike gutters, the fact is that they often serve a very important function. So, given that they are often a necessity, learning the best way to maintain them is critical to having them function as they were designed.
Gutter maintenance
You should clean your gutter system three times a year in total. Because the foliage season starts at different times of the fall season, it is impossible to designate a specific time for cleaning. I recommend that your gutters be cleaned twice during the fall season. Clean them the first of October, with the second cleaning coming in the middle of November (remember, these are not firm times, simply guidelines). Spring cleaning of your gutters should take place in March, provided any built up ice has melted away.
When cleaning be sure to thoroughly clean the entire run of gutter as well as the down spouts. If you hire a contractor to clean your gutters, ask that they provide you with pictures of the thoroughly cleaned gutters (with cell phones, etc., providing these picture should be relatively cost free). Improper gutter cleaning is a common scam, but one that can be eliminated by asking for the pictures before paying.
While cleaning your gutters check for broken hangers, leaky seams (unless you have a seamless gutter system), moldy or rotting fascia or trim boards, damaged drip edges, any broken shingles. I recommend taking pictures of your roof shingles, especially if you are going to hire contractors to remove snow from your roof.
Keeping your gutter system cleaned, sealed, treated and in good repair will provide huge rewards in terms of reducing the potential for major repairs later. The next time you are considering the merits of a gutter system consider this: for every $1 spent on maintaining your gutters, you save $10 that would otherwise be spent repairing the damage that would be caused by improperly maintained gutters. I’m liking gutters more and more.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.