Your gutters are the most essential part of your home’s exterior drainage system. You want to take care of them so they last as long as possible. Keeping them cleaned and maintained is the best way to extend their life and keep them in excellent working condition. Here are five ways to get the most out of your gutters so they provide reliable drainage for your property.

Have Them Professionally Cleaned

A gutter supply and service company can professionally clean your gutters. The process often involves using a high-powered pressure washer to effectively remove grime, debris, and even mold that can accumulate in your gutter system. Mildew and other debris can lead to rusty gutters if left alone, so make sure you hire a professional. You will want to ask your gutter professional how often you need your system cleaned, but a common rule of thumb is twice a year.

Do not attempt to clean out your gutters yourself. Not only can using the wrong cleaning agents (such as bleach) erode the materials in your gutters, but you can accidentally get harmed leaning against them or cause damage to your gutters themselves.

Keep Branches Away

If any branches are hanging over your roof, they likely shed leaves, pollen, and more into your gutters. Birds and squirrels can also gain easy access to your gutter and drain spout system due to conveniently placed branches and cause their own damage by building nests or storing debris in them. A simple solution is to have all tree limbs trimmed so they don’t hang over your roof or gutters.

Install Gutter Covers

Exposed gutters will gather debris from the wind no matter how often you clean them out. Installing a gutter cover, screen, or filter can help keep dust, leaves, and other items from getting into your gutters and clogging them up. Not only are gutter covers beneficial in keeping your drainage system clean, but they can add allure to your home as well. Your gutter installation expert can recommend the best protection for your gutters to help them last as long as possible.

Reinforce Your Gutters

When gutters get filled with debris and water pools up in them, they get weighed down. This condition puts them at risk of pulling away from your home or even breaking in their connector parts. Remedy at-risk gutters by reinforcing them with a sealant to keep moisture at bay and by tightening connectors when they begin to come loose.

If your gutters are older, they may have been originally installed using large spikes to hold them in place. This installation method can lead to sagging gutters, which are not only unattractive but also less able to drain water away from the home. Have the spikes replaced with gutter hangers to keep them tightly secured if your gutters have spikes in them currently.

Know When to Replace Them

Gutters can last for up to 30 years or more if they are maintained well. The material, thickness, and installation method of your gutters determine how long they will last as well. If your gutters are older or you are just ready for an upgrade, talk to your gutter installer. You’d be surprised how new seamless gutters can give the exterior of your home a fresh look.

For all your rain gutter needs, from installation to repairs, call our experts at Gutter Magician NKY. We can help you keep your current gutters in excellent condition or can do a full replacement for the lowest costs around. Our friendly associates will help you schedule an appointment so you can be on your way to a new gutter system for your home.