Fall Gutter Cleaning: A Few Hours That Can Save Your Foundation
/Of all the home maintenance tasks I see skipped, cleaning rain gutters might be the most overlooked. After years of selling houses and reading home inspection reports, I can tell you that gutters and downspouts come up again and again. The good news is that this is one of the easiest problems to prevent.
Gutters have one job: carry water off your roof and away from your foundation. When they are clogged or damaged, water ends up where it shouldn’t and can seep into your foundation walls. Over time, that can weaken, erode, and damage them. Spending a few hours a few times a year keeping your gutters working can protect the integrity of your home and potentially save you thousands of dollars in foundation repair.
With the leaves coming down and winter on the way, now is the perfect time to get it done. Here is what I do.
Keep Them Clean
Clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. I have a lot of mature trees where I live, so I usually clean mine two or three times in the fall. It means climbing up a ladder and clearing out all the debris. If it’s dry, a leaf blower works well. If there is a lot of dirt or silt packed in the bottom, run a hose at the end of the gutter and flush it all out through the downspout. They even make attachments for leaf blowers now, so you can clear your gutters while standing on the ground.
I still remember the first time I cleaned the gutters after we moved into our house. They hadn’t been touched in ages and they were so gross. Now that I stay consistent, it’s a pretty quick job.
Check for Damage and Fix It
While you’re up on the ladder, look for cracks, sagging, splitting, or water damage around the gutters. Fix problems early, when they are easier and often cheaper to repair. It also helps to check on your gutters while it’s raining. Notice where they drip, then patch those spots with silicone once everything is dry again.
Add Downspout Extenders
I think nearly every home inspection report I have ever read tells the buyer to install downspout extenders. They send the water out into your yard or driveway instead of letting it pool next to your foundation. I’ve even seen rain barrels attached to downspouts so homeowners can water their plants. The important part is keeping runoff away from your foundation and windows.
And really, that’s it. Gutter maintenance is simple and so very important. If climbing a ladder isn’t for you, there are plenty of great companies that will do it for you. What matters is that it gets done.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Salt Lake Valley, I’m always happy to talk. Reach out anytime!
Melissa Brownell is an Associate Broker with Plumb & Company Realtors in Salt Lake City, Utah, with 15 years of experience helping buyers and sellers throughout the Salt Lake Valley.