You should make a point (and a calendar reminder) to clean out your gutters at least two times each year. And, if you have a lot of trees and foliage near your home, you may even want to clean them out every three to four months. We recommend cleaning your gutters at the end of fall and spring to capture all the autumn leaves and winter debris.

Gutters are made to collect the rainwater that falls on your roof and channel it to the correct downspout toward the base of your house. A good gutter system will keep water away from the foundation of your home so the structure will stay intact. If gutters are not cleaned, rainwater will overflow from the gutters and fall along the foundation of your home causing foundation cracks. This is why it’s so important to maintain and clean your gutters from the leaves and debris that will inevitably end up getting stuck in them.

You can easily clean gutters by yourself if you have a sturdy ladder and a gutter scoop. (Note: Gutter scoops can be found at any hardware store, but a toy plastic sandbox shovel, old wooden spoon, or leaf blower will also do the job!) Once the debris, sticks, and leaves have been removed from your gutters you’ll want to use a garden hose to flush the remaining debris through the downspouts. This is also a great way to find leaks in your gutters which can be easily fixed by applying a small amount of plastic roofing cement with a putty knife.

If you notice any sagging metal you can fix it by attaching a gutter hanger or bracket. Gutter hangers attach to the gutters on your roof to keep them secure on the side of your home. You want your gutter system to be stable and supported, and gutter hangers are a simple way to fix any sagging or damaged areas.

But, if you’d rather not climb up on your roof yourself, there are great gutter cleaning services available for very reasonable prices (we do that!). Our team at Roofing for Hope is always available for roofing consultations and repair. We only use the highest-quality roofing materials and guarantee the best pricing, every time. Contact us today for your free inspection or quote!