Keep your gutters flowing

The gutters on your house are easily taken for granted during the endless clear skies of a northwest summer. But when fall rains reliably return, maintenance and repair problems become quickly apparent. 

To do their job, gutters and downspouts must be free of leaves and debris. Otherwise, drain outlets will clog up and rain washing from the roof will fill the gutters, which can cause a number of problems. Standing water will eventually cause leaking at sealed seams and downspouts, water will overflow the gutters and cause erosion and water damage to the landscape and home, and heavy water-laden gutters will eventually pull loose from the house.  

Some handy homeowners will tackle debris-choked gutters by blowing them clear from atop the roof with a leaf blower. This method can lead to falls and injury, and operators should wear goggles and a dust mask and use extreme caution when working atop the roof. It is especially important to stay off the roof if conditions are wet or icy. 

It is safer to access gutters from a ladder rather than standing on the roof. Choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a solid, level base. A ladder “stand out” will brace the ladder against the house and protect gutters from damage. Keep your hips centered between the sides of the ladder, and avoid reaching to the side which could tip the ladder. 

Heavy work gloves protect hands from sharp metal edges and coarse plant debris. Use a garden rake to remove as much debris from the roof as possible, since it will wash into the gutters in the next rain.  

There are really just three steps to clean gutters, but be prepared for many trips up and down the ladder, and a mess on the ground to clean up when you are finished. 

First, scoop loose debris from the gutters all the way around the house. Start at a downspout at the low end of the gutter so that standing water can escape. An inexpensive plastic gutter scoop from the hardware store will make the job easier. 

Next, blast out the gutters with a garden hose. This is easiest with an on/off high-pressure nozzle on the end of the hose. Wash out each section of gutter, working toward the downspouts. This part of the job can be messy, and mud may get splattered against the house. 

Finally, clear any obstructions in the downspout. If water doesn’t drain freely, flush the debris with the hose, or use a plumber’s snake to free and pull debris from the bottom of the downspout. 

Make sure that downspouts route water well away from the house. In some neighborhoods, downspouts are connected underground into municipal storm drain systems. If not, add downspout extenders to carry the water away from the foundation of the house, or place a splash block at the base extending at least 4 feet. 

Many people choose to hire a pro for the semi-annual gutter cleaning chore, preferring to stay off of ladders and roofs. Check with gutter, roofing, or landscaping companies for this service.  

Right Way Gutters of Battle Ground has been offering gutter installation, repair, and maintenance for 11 years. Owners Vadim and Liliya Sayenko often recommend a leaf guard system to prevent the buildup of debris. A variety of screens and shields are available, and the best type for a particular home depends on the site. Pine needles require a fine net-like screen, while larger leaves are held at bay by a regular screen. 

Sometimes gutters that don’t drain well benefit from the addition of an extra downspout. At minimum, downspouts should be spaced no less than 50 feet apart. 

Properly sloping gutters route water toward the downspout, and improper slope is a common cause of gutter problems, explained Liliya. In addition, sometimes gutter connections at corners and downspouts need to be resealed. 

Gutters need to be cleaned regularly to function properly, Liliya emphasized. And sometimes gutters have just reached the end of their lifespan. Aluminum gutters will last for decades, but steel gutters may begin to rust in as little as eight years. 

When it’s time to install new gutters, two styles are most prevalent — the K-style gutter, which first gained popularity in the 1950s, and the newer flat-fronted fascia gutter. They work equally well, said Liliya; the choice depends on style preference. 

Aluminum gutters come in over 30 color options, which will blend with almost any exterior house color. The gutter’s factory finish is longer-lasting than on-site paint, said Liliya, and they recommend utilizing available colors whenever possible. 

A properly installed and maintained gutter system will prevent damage to the home and landscape over the years. Periodic maintenance will keep your home fee of foundation problems, wood rot, erosion, and pest infestations.