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Help with Gutter Repair
Gutters play an important role in protecting
your homes foundation by carrying away excess rain water.
Unfortunately, they usually get taken advantage of and homeowners
fail to keep up with regular maintenance, ending in more
expensive and daunting repairs. The steps to keeping your
gutter system in top shape are fairly simple and can be
handled in a short amount of time.
There are four basic types of gutter systems
available - aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl and sometimes
wood gutters. A gutter system consists of two main components.
First you have a series of shallow channels installed along
the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater. The
second component of a gutter system contains the downspout.
The downspout is the pipe or duct used to carry rainwater
from the shallow channels (gutters) to the ground. It is
sometimes referred to as a leader. It is the vertical portion
of the gutter system that carries water away from the house,
stopping water from causing basement leaks.
In order to function properly, a gutter
system needs to have a clear smooth path for water to run
through the channels and down the downspout. As different
weather hits your home and outside elements build themselves
up, debris begins to collect with in the channels. It is
important for homeowners to regularly clean this debris
out and maintain a clear pathway for water to run freely.
Also, gutters are susceptible to forming leaks. It is crucial
that you find and fix any leaks before they expend.
Tips on Cleaning your Gutter System
To clean gutters you want to start at the
edge of the roof, farthest from the downspout, and remove
debris in leaf guards, in open gutters, and in leaf strainers.
Dirt and grit can be removed off the gutter by using a hose
with a power nozzle. Be sure to brush debris toward the
downspout with a whisk broom. Sometimes sticky material
will adhere to the gutter. You can use a small putty knife
to dislodge it.
To clean the downspout you will want to
wear rubber gloves and reach down the drop outlet to pull
out as much debris as possible. To flush debris through
the elbow and out the bottom of the downspout, it is best
to aim a hose into the drop outlet. If debris gets clogged
and refuses to wash out nicely then use an auger to clear
it out.
When fixing a leak, start off by using
coarse sandpaper or a wire brush to remove rust or debris
and smooth the surface. Next, cut a piece of fiberglass
mesh larger than the hole and use your putty knife to spread
roofing cement to attach the patch to the inside of the
gutter. Make sure to keep the patch as flat as possible
so that water will run down your gutter properly. Lastly,
spread additional roofing cement over the patch to securely
fasten it to the gutter.
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