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exterior projects /
gutter cleaning
and maintenance
Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance
It is extremely important to keep gutters
in good repair. If they are not properly maintained, the
water can run down the outside wall, ruining the decoration,
causing mold and decay damage, and eventually causing problems
within a structure.
Late autumn is the best time to begin gutter
maintenance and repairs. This is after all of the leaves
have fallen and just before winter weather has a chance
to do more damage. When performing gutter maintenance, always
make sure to be extremely careful with where you set up
your ladder. Certain gutters are made from materials that
can be damaged easily by ladders. Also, your own safety
is at hand with improper ladder use.
Common problems associated with gutters
include gutter blockages, clearing down pipes, fixing sagging
guttering, corrosion and cracks, leaks, section replacement,
and paint repairs.
Helpful Gutter Cleaning Tips
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Clear away all leaves and debris. Trim
tree branches that may be interfering with your roof
and the gutters.
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Avoid pushing rubbish to the top of
a downpipe when clearing gutter blockages.
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When clearing downpipes, try not to
compress rubbish downward. This may make the blockage
harder to remove.
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Always inspect metal gutters for signs
of rust. It is recommended to treat any bare metal areas
with a rust killer and fill hairline cracks with at
least two coats of rust primer. Sealing leaks with caulk
is a good idea.
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Severe rust on metal guttering will
most likely need to be replaced. Either the individual
section or possibly the whole system. Always use and
old section of guttering when purchasing a new one to
make sure the size and shape are the same.
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Make sure metal guttering is well painted
for protection.
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Avoid painting cement and plastic guttering.
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