Eavestroughs protect your home from high water, debris, and other elements. They play an important role in your property’s curb appeal and value. You should pay attention to indications that need repair or maintenance. Clogged, oversized, or damaged eavestroughs can be prevented by identifying damage signs and learning proper maintenance. Here are tips on how to repair and maintain eavestrough:
Straighten Bent Gutter Hangers
The gutter hangers may become bent after a storm damages your eavestrough. You should fix this problem by removing the old hanger and bending it back into place with pliers. Attach the new hanger to your house with screws or nails. Use enough screws to ensure they don’t get loose in high winds or heavy rain. If this task seems hectic, call a professional to help you out. The ideal time to check roof issues is during summer when the weather outside is good.
Clean the Eavestrough
Declutter your gutters and clean them at least once a year to prevent clogs and damage. Remove leaves, pine needles, or other debris accumulated on your eavestroughs. If you don’t clean off the leaves and other debris regularly, they can cause clogs in the downspouts or prevent water from draining out of your gutter.
You should also check the metal screens on your downspouts to ensure they are not clogged with leaves or other debris. To clean your eavestrough, you can do it yourself with a hose and brush, but if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, hire a professional. Keeping your eavestrough clean reduces the risk of leaks.
Check for Cracks or Holes
Check for clogs, leaks, and gaps that cause water to back up and get inside your home. If you have a garden hose, put it in the gutter and see if water flows freely through your downspouts. If there are cracks or holes, patch them with a cement-based grout used for masonry work or by applying a sealant to seal them up. If your eavestroughs have large holes, you should replace them instead of patching them to avoid water damage inside your house, such as a leaky ceiling.
Painting
Painting is a common eavestrough and roof maintenance. You can use any paint, but for durability, you should use a high-quality product that lasts longer and withstand weathering from the sun and rain. It’s also important to consider what kind of surface you’re painting, as well as what material your eavestrough is made out of. You can paint your eavestroughs any time of year, but it should always be done after cleaning so that paint doesn’t stick onto dirt or debris.
Use the Right Tools
Use the right tools for the job. Using a small wrench when you need a large one makes things difficult. If you plan to work on your eavestrough, ensure you have all the necessary equipment. If you want to clean your gutters, ensure you have the right tools for the job. You’ll need a ladder, an extension pole, and some cleaning supplies like brushes, rakes, and goggles. Using the right tools ensures your safety is taken care of, and the risk of injuries from falling or hurting yourself by using sharp objects is eliminated.
Replace Missing Screws and Brackets
Eavestrough is a system of drainage pipes that is installed on the edge of roofs to direct water away from the house. Over time, these systems become damaged or start to leak. This can be due to missing screws and brackets, which hold the system together and help protect it from harsh weather. To replace these components, remove screws or brackets that are no longer holding up your eavestrough. If there are gaps between sections of pipe, use a piece of metal flashing or another type of material as a patch.
Eliminates Pests and Rodents
Pests and rodents are the biggest problems homeowners face when maintaining their eavestroughs, but there are several ways you can get rid of them without having to call an exterminator every time you spot one in your yard. The first thing you should do is ensure there are no holes or gaps in your gutters that could allow rodents to access your home via pipes or vents located near ground level. You can seal these holes off with a durable seal like silicon.
Eavestrough repair isn’t always easy if you don’t have the right tools or experience. In some cases, you can fix these issues alone, but it’s always ideal to work with experts for a perfect outcome.
