Why You Should Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

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Cleaning Your Gutters and Downspouts

It is guaranteed that you will have to deal with rain while living on the east coast. All of that rain and moisture can cause thousands of dollars in damage forcing you to have to fix walls, roofs, and even basements. Letting your home suffer through the downpours can lead to rot, erosion, mildew, and more. When it comes to home maintenance it is vital to make sure your gutters and downspouts are properly kept.

One important step to prevent gutter and downspout damage, is to periodically check for clogs. Any debris, such as ice, animal nests, sticks, leaves, and so on, can cause your gutters to stop working properly. If your gutter becomes clogged you should get them checked immediately. If the water cannot travel into the downspout the gutter will overflow. Once it overflows it will cause damage by seeping into your roof, down the exterior walls, and down into the basement. Cleaning your gutters could save you money by being proactive and preventing situations where water damage could occur.

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It is also imperative to pay attention to your downspouts. Downspouts control how water travels from the gutter to the ground. When installing downspouts, ensure that they are pointed away from your home so it does not start to collect in pools. If pools form around your house it can cause foundation damage and basement damage. One tip you can use to prevent pooling from occurring is to place barrels at the bottom of the downspout. Once the barrels are full you can then use the rainwater on plants, gardens, or simply dump it out. If you live on a hill you are going to have an easy time preventing water from pooling. All you have to do is use a ramp to guide the water away from your home and down the hill.

Taking care and cleaning your gutters helps prevent damage to your home. There are other methods to preventing water damage other than checking for clogged gutters. Basement waterproofing is an excellent way to prevent damage caused by gutters and clogged downspouts. Businesses such as Advanced Basement of Pittsburgh will help and work with you to ensure your house is waterproof and ready for the rain.