hen you purchase a home, you likely think of the most romantic aspects of homeownership—patios, luxury bathrooms, comprehensive entertainment systems, etc.

Your mind might veer to the sleek and modern design of your kitchen. Your home’s exterior could also capture your imagination, whether you prefer the aesthetic of a brick facade or a particular siding, for instance.

Where your mind isn’t likely to go is your gutters. 

Even the name, ‘gutters,’ doesn’t exactly lend itself to romance. 

Yet, properly installed and maintained gutters are a crucial functional and structural component of any home. They ensure rainwater drains away from your home, preventing the following issues:

• General water damage.
• Flooding in your basement.
• Exterior boards and siding damage.
• Accumulated mold and mildew.

If these issues fester over a long time, the problems they cause your home can be irreparable—physically or financially. At best, they’ll cause you a long-standing migraine you can’t cure without a lot of legwork and spending you could’ve avoided by adhering to the following maintenance tips:

Schedule Regular Gutter Cleaning.

We get it. You work hard all week, and the last thing you want to do during what little spare time you have is a bunch of chores, including cleaning your gutters.

Here’s the thing: “Regularly” has a broad spectrum of meanings. For instance, “regularly” cleaning your gutters has different connotations than “regularly” brushing your teeth or “regularly” eating.

In other words, “regularly” cleaning your gutters isn’t something you must do every day or week. Instead, it’s a once or twice-yearly chore (for most homeowners). 

On the above note, here are some tips on how to clean your gutters the once or twice a year you’ll need to:

• Use a hose to get rid of the first layer of easily removable debris.
• Compacted leaves, pine needles, and twigs can get stuck in your downspout, which might necessitate a plumbing snake or high-pressure water to dislodge them.
• Clean once in the spring and again in the fall. 

(Disclaimer: If you live in a tree-dense area, you might need to clean your gutters a couple of times a week.)

Inspect The Positioning of Your Gutters.

During your twice-annual gutter cleanings, you’ll also want to inspect positioning for optimal water drainage.

Why? Because poorly positioned gutters could hamper drainage and lead to water damage.

This preamble begs the question: What should you be inspecting regarding your gutters’ positioning?

First is the slope, which is recommended to be a quarter-inch for every 10 feet of gutter. 

When the slope isn’t steep enough, the water won’t drain. Conversely, a too-steep slope will cause too-quick drainage, damaging your home’s exterior. 

You’ll also need to ensure your gutters aren’t leaning too far backward or forward, adjusting accordingly. 

Keep An Eye Out For Icicles. 

Of the several warning signs your gutters aren’t in good shape, the formation of icicles is probably the most glaring. 

Typically, these little pointed, dangling buggers will form come wintertime when the temperature drops below freezing. Their mere presence indicates that debris is clogging your gutters, water is backing up, and might be seeping beneath your shingles. 

If you find icicles on your gutters, remove them safely so they don’t fall on anyone. Afterward, you’ll need to check for issues, such as debris build-up, poor drainage, or soffit and fascia damage on your eaves.

What’s the easiest way to avoid icicles forming on your gutters? Cleaning them before and after snowfall, actioning the tips we’ve already offered. 

Consider Additional Gutter Protection.

You can make gutter maintenance far more seamless by purchasing and installing a gutter helmet or a gutter cover to prevent larger chunks of debris from creating clogs.

Generally, helmets snap onto the front of the gutter. With drains, they attach to a cutout at the end. Conversely, flat covers—featuring perforated screens—sit atop gutters, functioning as drains. 

Here are a couple of caveats to consider with gutter helmets and gutter covers:

• Helmeted gutters in wooded areas with lots of trees (e.g., pine) require frequent inspection for leaves, pine needles, and similar debris.
• Bees and wasps often create nests in gutter covers—so inspect for these, too, and be cautious to avoid getting stung.

Helmets and gutter covers aren’t the only ways to protect your gutters robustly—you can also upgrade with splash guards.

Dirt can often splash onto the side of homes after heavy rainfalls because of the force of the water hitting the ground. If you’ve noticed this scenario on your property, a splash guard might be necessary.

Install the splash guard at the base of your home’s downspouts and roof. Doing so will ensure adequate water drainage while fortifying your roof against mildew and mold damage. 

Tree-dense areas might require leaf guard installations to prevent such debris from clogging gutters—these guards would require twice-yearly cleanings.

Bring In A Pro.

You might value your free time and physical well-being too much to spend it climbing a ladder, risking life and limb, and trying to de-clog your gutters.

In which case, we say, fair enough. 

Not everybody has the patience for yard work, and you deserve to spend time doing what you want. Still, gutter maintenance is crucial, meaning it needs to be done, and you’ll need to hire a professional service if you won’t do it.

We suggest perusing the old Google machine for your area’s most reputable gutter-cleaning specialists. You can also ask your friends and family if they have a reliable gutter cleaner they hire.

When speaking to a gutter cleaner, be specific about the type of gutters you have. This information will allow them to use the best approach and optimize the results. 

Conclusion: Gutters Are Unsung Heroes In Your Home That Require Your Attention.

Gutters don’t have it easy. Everyone overlooks them, and they do the hard, unforgiving work that keeps your home safe from water damage.

As this blog clarifies, all your gutters ask for in return is a bit of TLC—twice-yearly cleanings and semi-frequent inspections to ensure they’re functioning and positioned correctly.