Gutters are often overlooked because they seem like a hassle. You’ll need to climb up ladders and clean out all of that debris. However, most people neglect their gutters because they think they aren’t worth the time or money. But if you ignore them, your house will more likely develop serious problems like insect-borne diseases, water damage, and rot. Luckily, there are many ways to get gutter maintenance done on a budget.
- Clean your gutters twice a year.
The first way to get gutter maintenance done on a budget is to clean your gutters twice a year. You can do this by simply lifting the grate and removing any debris that’s clogging your gutters. Do this in the spring and fall, so you’re giving your home ample time to dry out before the cold winter months approach.
If you neglect cleaning your gutters, they might get clogged by leaves and other debris. This can become a home for rodents and insects such as mosquitoes. These pests can bring diseases to your homes, such as leptospirosis and malaria. When this happens, you’ll need to hire pest and mosquito control specialists to clean the areas where these pests might be lurking.
- Clip branches that hang into your gutters.
If you have trees in your yard, make sure to clip any branches that hang down and into your gutters. This will prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your gutters, and it will also keep the trees looking neat. You can use a pair of pruning shears to do this job, or you can hire a professional tree trimmer to do it for you.
- Clear debris from downspouts and siding.
When you’re cleaning your gutters, be sure to clear any debris from the downspouts and the siding of your home. This will help prevent water damage and rot. You can use a hose to clear the debris, or you can use a leaf blower. If you have a lot of leaves and other debris on your siding, you might need to use a pressure washer to get the job done.
- Inspect your gutter covers.
Another way to get gutter maintenance done on a budget is to inspect your gutter covers. Gutter guards are meant to keep debris from entering the gutters, so if yours are broken or not sealing properly, it can cause major issues for your home. You can replace any covers that are damaged with pre-cut pieces of galvanized steel at most hardware stores. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also buy some tin snips and create custom gutters that will match the architecture of your house.
- Flush clogged pipes.
If your gutters are clogged, the water will eventually get to your home’s foundation and cause damage. One way to prevent this from happening is to flush the clogged pipes with a garden hose. This will help move the debris that’s blocking the pipes and allow the water to flow freely.
Be sure to do this regularly, especially after a big storm when there are many leaves and other debris in your gutters.
- Replace missing sections of roof shingles.
If you have missing sections of roof shingles, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible. A missing shingle can lead to major water damage in your home. You can purchase replacement shingles at most hardware stores.
To replace a shingle, you’ll need to remove the old shingle and nail the new one into place. Be sure to use the same type of shingle that was used on your roof originally. Also, make sure to use nails that are long enough to secure the shingle in place.
- Replace missing or worn gutter guards.
If you have missing or worn gutter guards, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible. Gutter guards are meant to keep debris from entering the gutters, so if yours are broken or not sealing properly, it can cause major issues for your home.
You can purchase replacement gutter guards at most hardware stores. To replace a gutter guard, you’ll need to remove the old guard and nail the new one into place. Be sure to use the same type of gutter guard that was used on your roof originally. Also, make sure to use nails that are long enough to secure the gutter guard in place.
- Report clogged roof drains.
If you notice that your roof is draining slowly or not at all, you should report it to your local municipality. A clogged roof drain can lead to major water damage in your home.
The easiest way to report a clogged roof drain is to call your local municipality and ask for the appropriate department. They will send someone out to investigate and fix the problem.
Gutter maintenance can be a difficult task to do on your own, but it’s an essential part of keeping your home in good shape. These tips should help you get started with the process and explain how simple changes like clearing debris from downspouts or replacing missing gutters guards could save you money later on by preventing major water damage.
