There are two times during the year when you should check roof gutters for debris in the mid-Atlantic region, late spring and late fall. Depending on the amount of trees you have on or around your lot, you may need to check more than once during these times.
Why do I need to check?
In fall (October thru December), trees shed their leaves for three straight months and in spring (April thru May) trees pollinate, produce flowers and drop seeds. As air temperatures change with the seasons, wind speeds increase, picking up debris and carrying it everywhere. Sadly, the debris not only comes from your trees but neighboring trees also.
What happens?
The flow inside the gutter gets blocked or the downspout gets clogged and it quickly overflows, causing a waterfall below.
What are some visible signs of clogged gutters?
* gutters pulled away from roofline
* gutters streaked black from roofing residue washing over
* soil splashed on building walls in corners below downspout
* holes in soil from erosion, usually in corners below downspouts
* rotting wood in corner, under gutter by downspout
Why is cleaning before winter so important?
In winter, any water left in gutters will freeze and become a heavy. This not only inhibits the flow of water but puts a lot of downward pressure on the gutter, slowly pulling it away from the roof. When this happens, any water coming off the roof will go between the roof and the gutter, causing a major waterfall and potential future siding and garden problems below.
How do I clean?
Be very careful of height, ladder stability and overhead power lines. Secure ladder makes for a safer and easier process. When in doubt, use a friend .
Wear rubber gloves. Keeps wet, dirty debris from staining hands. Also, most debris has been in the gutter for sometime, it will have an odor .
Carry a bag or bucket up the ladder for debris. Makes it easier and safer to work while on the ladder. Empty every time you come down.
Use a piece of rebar, a long stake behind ladder. Keeps ladder from sliding backwards on the ground as you work up at gutter level.
When finished , use hose to clean downspouts. Tap side of the elbow of the downspout to loosen any debris inside.
Take a hammer up with you as you clean. Use to hammer in gutter nails that may have pulled out, tightens gutter back to roof.
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