The interior of your home isn’t the only place you need to maintain. The outside of the home requires attention too. If you don’t inspect and maintain your property regularly, there will be features that wear out. This wear can cause thousands of dollars of damage to other parts of your home.

Gutters are the most important fixtures you have to maintain regularly. These structures are responsible for catching rain runoff and draining water to prevent flooding inside the home.

So, how do you maintain your gutters to prevent damage to your property? Take a look at these four tips in the article below. You may find handy information about gutters you didn’t know before.

1. Clean Debris Out of the Gutters Regularly

Gutters can get clogged up over time. During high winds, your gutters can catch sand, leaves and garbage. You’ll have to clean the debris out of your gutters regularly to prevent them from clogging. Cleaning the channels will also prevent the downspouts from blockages.

All you’ll need to clean your gutters is a sturdy ladder, a pair of protective gloves and a garbage bag. Always wear protective gloves when cleaning out your gutters because there may be sharp twigs or nails protruding out of the fixtures that can cut you.

Once you’ve cleared the debris out of the gutters, wash them down with warm soapy water. Washing the fixtures is a way to see if water is flowing correctly, especially through the downspouts.

2. Use a Plumbing Snake to Clean the Downspouts

Since the downspouts are enclosed, you won’t be able to see if there are any blockages preventing water flow. You’ll know when the downspouts are clogged if the water floods the gutters and doesn’t drain down the pipes correctly.

To unclog the downspouts use a plumbing snake, which is a thin, flexible auger used to dislodge drains. It’s the best tool to use for unclogging your downspouts.

3. Install Gutter Guards

Cleaning out gutters is a tedious task but to make it less of a hassle, install gutter guards. A gutter guard is a durable covering that’s placed over the water channels to prevent debris build-up.

Gutter guards prolong the life of your troughs because it prevents them from cracking and rusting. If you’re looking for durable gutter guards visit respected service providers like cityseamless.com for more information.

4. Select the Correct Gutter Material

Your gutters’ lifespan depends on the type of material you pick to install on your house. Gutters are made from one of five types of material:

• Wood
• Aluminum
• Galvanized steel
• Vinyl
• Stainless steel

Vinyl gutters are popular because they’re lightweight, cost-effective and they can withstand the elements. Also, you can paint vinyl easily with any color finish you want so it matches the aesthetics of your home.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to inspect your gutters regularly in case a fixture is loose, cracked or rusted. If your gutters are damaged, replace them with water channels and downspouts that are more durable and lightweight.

Maintaining your gutters regularly will prevent water damage in the home and it will save you money on replacements.