Preparing your home roof gutter for winter is essential. Keeping the gutters clean during these cold and wet months will ensure that the melted snow will drain into the drown spouts.
Here are some tips to prepare your gutter for the winter season. Following the tips will prevent water from pooling on the roof thereby saving you the cost of roof repairs.
1. Check for Damage
The foremost thing you need to do to prepare your house gutters for winter is to check for any damage. Make sure that the gutters are in good condition. Any damage to the gutters will prevent water flowing properly through the gutters as the snow melts.
You should look for holes, cracks, and tears from the outside. You can use a hose to run the water through the gutter to check for damages.
Make sure to also inspect the gutter to ensure that it is fixed properly. Any broken or loose hangers should be repaired immediately. You should pay close attention to the joints of the gutters for any damage and fix it with haste.
You should also make sure to inspect the end caps. The caps prevent water from overflowing. Look for any tears and cracks in the fixture. You should address any damage before it leads to a major issue.
2. Install Gutter Protection
A gutter guard will prevent debris, including leaves and twigs, from clogging the gutters. The guard is installed using hangers. It is important to install the hangers every 12 inches so that the guards hold up during heavy snow. Installing in this manner will ensure that the gutter guards stay strong for a long.
3. Install Downspout Extensions
Installing a downspout extension is also recommended to protect gutters during the winter months. This will move the melted snow away from the base of the home. Installing the extension is important to maintain the structural integrity of your house.
You should install these extensions about five feet away from the home. This will prevent water from leaking into the foundation or basement of the home.
4. Clear the Debris
Be sure to inspect the exposed top for any debris clogging the gutters. The gutters must be clog free to ensure water flows through the gutters.
You should get a ladder and remove any twigs, leaves, branches, and other obstacles clogging the gutters. You should especially pay attention to the junctions and corners where debris tends to accumulate.
Consider calling a professional to cut the tree branches hanging over the house. This is important as the leaves of the nearby branches won’t clog the gutters.
5. Clean the Gutters
Once all the debris has been removed from the gutters, you should then clean the gutters. You must use a gutter cleaning solution for a deep and effective cleaning. White vinegar is a great solution.
You should add a cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water. Mix the solution and pour half of it into the gutter. Let the gutter cleaning solution sit inside for about an hour. Use the remaining half to clean the outside of the gutter using a scrub brush.
Drain the solution inside the gutter using water after an hour. Using the homemade solution is effective in keeping the gutters sparkly clean.
Always contact experienced Huntsville roofers for gutter installation in Lincoln County TN. A professional roofing expert will repair any damage to the roof using specialized tools. Hiring an experienced roofing contractors for roof repair in Lincoln County TN will save you costly repairs in the long run.