I'm dealing with piles of leaves in my yard and worrying about all the debris such as acorns, pine needles and small twigs that are hiding in and filling up my gutters. Do I have to clean the gutters, or is this a chore I can put off for a bit longer?
Wind, rain, leaves and tree branches create lots of yard chores for homeowners. Gutter cleaning is one fall to-do item on the list that shouldn't be ignored or even postponed, whether you're tackling the task or hiring professionals to handle it.
It's important to keep gutters cleared.
"The primary purpose of the gutter is to protect the foundation from the water that is falling down," says Robert Greenfield, owner of Arkansas Gutter Co. in Sherwood. Clogged gutters prevent rainwater from flowing properly through them. When the water is blocked, it can pour over the gutters' edges and run down the walls or other areas it isn't supposed to, which can lead to bigger problems.
"The biggest problem with leaving debris in the gutter is that the gutter is designed to hold a certain weight of water," says Greenfield. When the additional weight of deteriorating leaves is added in, the gutter and the parts of the house it's attached to could be compromised. The gutter could detach from the house, taking the fascia with it.
"Most gutters are aluminum and most of the trees here in Arkansas are oak," he says, adding that when oak leaves deteriorate they create an acid that can, over time, eat through the clear coat or paint on gutters to eventually deteriorate the metal.
Having the water flow where it's not supposed to could also cause problems with drainage or grading in the yard. Basements could develop leaks. Any of these problems could lead to significant damage to the house, Greenfield warns.
"I've cleaned out my own gutters four times in the last three weeks," Greenfield says. "If you do it often, it doesn't take very long."
Here are tips for cleaning gutters:
Ladder Safety -- To do the job yourself you need to be comfortable on a ladder. It's also a good idea to have a helper holding the base of the ladder to make sure it remains stable and safe. Choose a ladder that's tall enough to reach the roof and make sure it's safely secured against the side of the house.
Right tools for the job -- Begin the work prepared, wearing heavy duty gloves to protect hands from sharp branches and slimy debris. It's also a good idea to have a scooper to access the gutter's narrow edges and reach all of the gunk that has collected inside.
Choosing a professional -- When hiring someone for the job, ask if they're licensed, bonded and insured. Otherwise, the homeowner could be liable if a worker is injured on the job.
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 12/17/2016