How To Protect Your Gutter from Leaves and Debris

If you’re like most homeowners, then you probably don’t think about your gutters until they start to cause problems. Gutters are an important part of your home’s drainage system, and they should be kept clean and clear of debris to prevent clogs. In this blog post, we will discuss how to protect your gutters from leaves and other debris. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep your gutters clear and functioning properly!

What Are Gutters and What Do They Do?

Gutters are a system of channels installed along the eave edges of your roof to divert rainwater away from your home. They are generally open at the top to allow the water to flow through and are attached to your home with brackets. 

Gutters play an essential role in protecting your home from water damage by redirecting rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation through downspouts (the closed vertical channels in the gutter system).

Water can damage foundations and basements (if you have one). You also don’t want water running down near a walkway, patio, or driveway because it can cause cracks and wear away at the surface.

Why Keep Your Gutters Safe from Leaves and Debris?

Gutters are designed to protect homes from water damage. They channel rainwater away from the foundation and prevent flooding on lawns, patios, or walkways. To work properly, they need to be maintained regularly because debris such as leaves, twigs, and other objects can clog up the system and cause water to back up and overflow.

If gutters are not cleared of debris, it can lead to several problems, including:

Debris can cause Internal Damage to your Gutters

Water that backs up into the gutter system can cause wood rot and rust on metal gutters. Over time, this will lead to further damage and even structural problems with your home.

Clogged Gutters can lead to a Pest Infestation

Clogged gutters are a haven for pests such as mosquitoes, termites, ants, and rodents. These pests can enter your home through crevices and openings around the gutter system, potentially leading to an infestation.

Pooling of Water can cause Foundation Issues

Gutters should always be sloped away from the house so that water runs off and doesn’t pool at the foundation. When a gutter clogs, it can cause water to back up against your home and seep into places where it shouldn’t go – like under shingles or between siding boards – causing damage to the exterior and potentially leading to foundation issues.

Landscape Damage from Overflowing Gutters

If water pools around your home’s foundation, it can cause erosion and damage plant life. This not only looks bad but can also be a safety hazard if plants start to grow too close to the house.Keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris to avoid these problems. The best way to do this is by hiring a professional gutter cleaning service once or twice a year, which will ensure that they remain in good working order.

How To Protect Your Gutters from Leaves and Other Debris

Here are a few tips for protecting your gutters from leaves and other debris:

Use Gutter Protection Systems

These systems keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters while allowing water to flow freely through the system. They can be installed over existing gutters, saving you time and money on labor costs. 

One type is a mesh guard or cover that slides over the top of your gutters and is held in place by clips or screws. Other gutter covers include a perforated plastic film that attaches to the channel with magnets or an adhesive strip or a wire mesh screen inserted into the gutters.

You can also install leaf screens on top of your existing gutters, which act as a barrier between leaves or twigs and your gutters.

Clean Gutters Regularly

Even if you have a gutter protection system in place, it’s essential to clean them regularly to prevent clogging. Clogged gutters can lead to water overflowing onto your roof and into your home. Cleaning is crucial to keep them free of debris so they can do their job properly.

If you have a ladder, you can clean your gutters yourself by scooping out the debris with a garden trowel or other tool. Be sure to wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from sharp objects or flying debris. You may also use a gutter cleaner, which is a tool that attaches to your garden hose and allows you to clean your gutters from the ground.

If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning your gutters or don’t have a ladder, hire a professional to do it for you. These experts will be able to clean your gutters thoroughly and safely, so you don’t have to worry about clogs or overflow.

Trim Tree Branches near your Roof

If you have trees on your property, trim any branches overhanging the roof. This will prevent leaves and twigs from falling into the gutters and causing a clog. 

If you don’t want to cut the branches yourself, you can hire a tree service company to do it for you. They will also be able to remove any dead or dying branches that could fall on your house during a storm and cause damage.

Remove Standing Water from your Gutters

If there is standing water in your gutters after a rainstorm, this could be a sign of severe clogging. Use a wet/dry vacuum or a pump to suck it out of the gutter and into a bucket to remove standing water. Make sure you wear gloves when doing this, as there may be sharp objects hidden in the debris, such as glass shards from broken bottles or nails from old boards.Call a professional for gutter cleaning in Houston if the standing water is too deep for you to reach with a vacuum or pump. They will be able to remove any debris that might have built up over time and clear out your gutters so they can drain properly again.

Replace Damaged Gutters

If your gutters are old or have been damaged by a storm, replace them with new ones. Older gutters tend to leak and clog more easily than newer ones, so it’s best to replace them before they cause any damage to your home. Newer models are also made of stronger materials that stand up better against weathering and storms.

If you’re not sure whether your gutters need to be replaced or just cleaned, call a professional gutter cleaning service for an estimate. They will be able to assess the condition of your gutters and recommend the best course of action.

Check the Downspouts

A clogged gutter is not the only reason leaves and debris might be obstructing your gutters. Water can also pool in between branches or on top of shingles due to a blocked downspout.

Water must drain through the downspout, so be sure you have it checked during your next inspection by a professional. Additionally, you can spray a hose into the downspout to further clear out any debris that may be building up inside it.

Check the Gutter’s Positioning

The position of your gutters is important for proper drainage. If they’re not installed correctly, or if they’re sagging, water can back up and cause damage to your home. To check the positioning of your gutters, use a level to see if they’re aligned properly. If they’re not, you may need to call a professional to re-install them or fix the issue.

How To Maintain Your Gutters Regularly

Clean and maintain your gutters regularly because if you don’t, water can get inside the walls of your house. This water damage can lead to mold growth in addition to other problems. That is why it is so important that you take care of your gutters every year.

The best time to clean and maintain your gutters is late summer or early fall before it rains too much. Also, do not wait until all of the leaves have fallen off, as this will make it very difficult to see what is inside your gutters. Once the leaves have fallen, make sure you clean your gutters twice a year.

Call Geek Window Cleaning for Regular Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance

If you are not comfortable cleaning and maintaining your gutters, it is best to call professionals. Geek Window Cleaning offers gutter cleaning in Houston to take care of all of your needs. We have the experience and expertise to clean your gutters quickly and efficiently so that you don’t have to worry about them anymore.

Our professional gutter cleaning service will come out to your home and use special equipment like ladders, leaf blowers, gutter vacuums, or high-pressure washers to remove debris from both the top and bottom of your gutters. Don’t wait until it’s too late – call Geek Window Cleaning today for all of your gutter cleaning needs!

How To Protect Your Gutter from Leaves and Debris | Geek Window Cleaning