Every year, Rochester gets hit with almost twice the national average of snowfall. All of that snow eventually has to go down your gutters and away from your home. As a homeowner, you need to ensure that your gutters are always working optimally to keep your home and family safe from cold winter weather.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Probably your best line of defense against immense amounts of precipitation is your gutters. When they’re clear of debris, they can easily allow snowmelt and rainwater to flow down to your downspouts and away from your home. Unfortunately, when your gutters become clogged with debris, like leaves and twigs, it can dam up the water. Eventually, the water will back up and seep under the shingles of your roof. To prevent this problem, it’s best to clean out your gutters at least every six months.
Test Your Downspouts
The next maintenance tip we have for you is to properly inspect and test your downspouts. With your gutters free of debris, any water should flow right down your gutters and into your downspout. The water should freely travel through your downspout and away from your home. The general rule of thumb is to have your downspouts extend at least 4 feet from the exterior of your home. On a sunny day, use the hose and put some water down your downspouts to ensure that it shoots out like it’s supposed to. If not, you have a blockage somewhere in your downspout that needs to be removed.
Ensure Your Gutters Are Properly Adhered
Your gutters need to be properly adhered to your home in order for them to remove water. If your gutters get pulled away from your home, that gap will allow the water to seep into the siding of your home. Additionally, if your gutter starts to fall down on one side, it could cause the water runoff to go in the wrong direction. This can create more damage to the gutter and prevent water from properly draining through your downspout. If you’ve noticed that any of your gutters are loose, it’s best to call Heyn Brothers Roofing in Rochester, MN to get them repaired sooner rather than later.
Inspect Your Gutters for Holes
Lastly, you’ll want to look over each of your gutters to see if they’ve developed any rust or holes. These most commonly occur in the joints and can typically be repaired with a sealant or gutter patching kit. Pay special attention to the gutter joints, as they can allow water to overflow down the side of your home if they’re damaged. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, you can call for a roof inspection that will include assessing the existing condition of your gutters.
Your gutters are your home’s defense mechanism against precipitation. When they’re working great, you can be assured that your home’s structure will stay safe from water damage. However, if you’re experiencing troubles with your household gutters, it’s time to call Heyn Brothers Roofing to get the issues fixed before they cause more damage to your home.
