Home inspectors frequently emphasize the importance of maintaining a home’s gutters and downspouts. Why? Well, for one thing, just a few inches of rain can produce thousands of gallons of water runoff – this must be channeled away from the home, more importantly, the foundations. Otherwise, you will start to experience the problems associated with water intrusion like wood rot and mold.
Safety when cleaning your gutters. To function optimally, gutters must be clear of dirt and debris, so cleaning them out should be done regularly. If you are going to take on the task yourself, you must do so as safely as possible. It is best to have someone with you when cleaning the gutters so that they can assist you with using a ladder. Always wear protective gloves as you don’t know what sharp pieces of debris await you. There may even be insects and small animals, so being protected is important.
You may need to use a lot of water when cleaning out your gutters so make sure all the water is directed away from the house and not left to saturate the soil around the foundation.
Downspouts should also be inspected. Check that they are properly connected to the gutters and that they are firmly attached to the house. Downspouts are sometimes mistakenly installed upside down which can cause them to leak, so this is another area to check. And finally, make sure they have not been damaged by vehicles that have accidentally hit them.