How to Keep Leaves Out of Gutters

When fall is upon us, deciduous trees begin to lose their leaves. It is the cycle of seasons and has been this way for thousands of years. But the falling leaves can quickly accumulate in your gutters and cause clogs. This is why you need to learn how to keep leaves out of gutters. And there are several ways you can keep your gutters clean. So, how do you keep leaves out of gutters?

1.   Gutter Cleaning

Of all the necessary evils listed in the fall yard maintenance task list, gutter cleaning is probably the most dreaded of all. But no matter how tedious this task is, property owners are wise not to neglect it. Efficient gutter systems, after all, prevent rainwater from finding its way indoors. So, learning how to clean gutters is crucial to preventing the accumulation of leaves and other forms of debris in your gutters.

There are different ways of getting leaves out of your gutters before they clog the system and cause damage. And there is no best way for every property owner. Some people don’t like the power washers, while others prefer their feet not leaving the ground – they are afraid of heights. So, if you want to learn how to clean gutters, use a gutter cleaning method that’s safe and you are comfortable with.

Rain gutter systems require maintenance to function properly and stay debris-free. Leaves and debris accumulation can cause gutter clogging. This can lead to rainwater spillover (the gutter channel) and splash in the ground below. Even worse, melt and freeze cycles during the winter can cause snow on the roof to gently melt into the gutters and freeze in there. As ice accumulates in the gutter, the excess weight can make the gutters detach from the roof.

How to Clean Gutters Safely

Teetering on a telescoping ladder when scooping leaves out of your gutters is not the safest way to keep your gutters debris-free. Fortunately, several gutter cleaning tools allow property owners to clean the leaves and debris safely while keeping their feet on the ground. That means you don’t need to climb ladders to clean your rain gutter system.

If you must climb a ladder to clean your gutters, do not use a stepladder. This type of ladder is prone to tipping in case you get off balance. Instead, you may want to use a sturdy extension ladder. It’s also recommended to have a helper stand at the base to keep your ladder stable while you are cleaning your gutters.

For homes over one story in height, consider hiring a gutter cleaning service provider to handle this task for you. Gutter cleaning companies have the right equipment to access high gutter systems safely. Also, they have experienced gutter cleaners who aren’t afraid of heights. So don’t try to climb on your roof to clean your home’s gutters – it’s not worth the safety risk.

2. Install a Gutter Protection System – Gutter Guards

Routine gutter cleaning can help keep your gutters clean. However, most American homeowners don’t like getting up ladders to clean gutters. Others hate the idea of paying gutter cleaners to do this seemingly simple task. This is why inventors have tried to create a system that allows rainwater into the gutters while keeping leaves and other forms of debris out.

When protecting your gutter system against leaves and debris accumulation, there are three types of gutter protection systems. These include;

• Those that block and fill – These are brushes or strips of porous foam you can stuff in your gutters.
• Those that screen and filter – These are vinyl or metal screens that fit on top of your gutter system.
• Those that use surface tension to separate rainwater from debris – Also known as the reverse curve gutters, water clings to the hood and then flows into the gutters. Debris doesn’t cling and usually shoots

Of these gutter protection systems, micro-mesh screens are the most effective in preventing leaves and small debris from entering the gutters. They fit on top of an existing gutter system and allow rainwater to pass through the tiny holes in the screen. The debris will remain on top or filter away. In some cases, the debris can dry quickly and blow away in the wind.

Micro-mesh gutter screens let only tiny particles, like pollen, into the gutters through small holes that are 50 microns in diameter. This unique design prevents even tiny shingles or composite grit from entering your gutters. Over time, this filtration mechanism can create a sludge that you must clean and remove manually.

Better Micro-Mesh Gutter Screens

Sure, most micro-mesh gutter screens often accumulate dirt on top of the screen. But HomeCraft Gutter Protection has found a way to address this issue. The company uses a patented Raised Screen Technology (RST), the premier and most effective gutter guards on the market. Their engineers emboss a raised diamond pattern on the screen.

This raised diamond pattern elevates debris while allowing up to 150 inches of rainwater into the gutters. The elevated debris can quickly dry due to free air circulation– there are substructures below the mesh – and blow away in the wind. Also, their installers attach the leaf filter system to the fascia board at an angle. So, wet debris can easily slide off and fall to the ground below. This prevents sludge formation on top of the micro-mesh gutter screen.

Generally, gutter guards form a protective barrier over your gutter system. You can add them to your gutters to prevent leaves and other forms of debris from entering the gutters in the first place. However, not all gutter protectors work the same way. Also, they come in different materials. So, you must choose the best gutter guards for your home.

3. Routine Gutter Maintenance

Leaves and debris accumulation is more than just an eyesore; it can lead to a plethora of problems that could have easily been avoided with regular maintenance. When gutters are clogged, rainwater can’t flow freely. This leads to water overflowing the sides of the gutters, which can cause soil erosion around your property, damage your home’s foundation, and result in water leaking into your basement or crawl space.

Debris-filled gutters can also become a prime breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, which thrive in stagnant water. Rodents, birds, and insects might also find the accumulated debris a perfect nesting site, leading to infestations. And you don’t want birds nesting in your gutters, mosquitoes breeding in your gutters, or rodents gnawing your gutters and downspouts.

Debris in the gutter adds unnecessary weight, putting additional strain on the entire system. This can lead to sagging, breaking, or pulling away from the house. It can also lead to rust and corrosion in metal gutters, decreasing their overall lifespan.

By dedicating a small amount of time or investment to regular gutter maintenance, you can prevent different forms of damage to your home and gutter system. Regular gutter maintenance can enhance curb appeal and the overall health of the property, potentially increasing its value.

Note that with clean and functional gutters, homeowners won’t have to worry about unforeseen damages every time it rains. After all, clean gutters ensure proper water flow and reduce the chances of soil erosion around your property.

So, if you have the right ladder and are not afraid to use it, start cleaning your gutters regularly. In addition to saving money, you will have the chance to check for signs of gutter damage to your roof, especially after a storm. If you can’t clean the gutters on your own, you can hire a home improvement contractor at a fee. But the most effective and affordable way to keep your gutters debris-free and clog-free.

4. Trim the Trees around your Home

Suppose you have many deciduous trees near your home or hanging over the roof. In that case, there is an easy and effective solution. Trim those branches. This way, you can cut back on the amount of leaves falling into your gutter system. It will also keep your property safe from fire-related hazards and the roof clear of wind-related damage and moss.

5. Seek Professional Gutter Maintenance Service

Would you rather do away with the challenge of cleaning gutters and maintaining them? A sure-fire solution to gutter clogging is reaching out to gutter specialists like HomeCraft Gutter Protection, a professional company that installs, cleans, and replaces gutter systems. This company also provides cost-effective gutter guards at an affordable price.

Conclusion

Gutter systems are a component of your roof system that’s often overlooked. After all, they play a supporting role and fade into the background. However, what most property owners do not realize is that gutter systems are just as crucial as other parts of your home’s roofing system. They direct the rainwater flowing down the roof away from your home’s foundation. This way, they keep your house dry and the foundation’s structure intact. And by extension, they protect the home’s exterior from mildew and mold.

As with most parts of your home’s structure, your gutters can develop problems over time. And the common challenge, which most homeowners are familiar with, is clogging. Debris accumulation in the gutters can lead to clogging. Some of the ways you can prevent debris accumulation in your gutters include gutter guard installation, gutter cleaning, trimming nearby branches, and gutter maintenance.

FAQs

1. How do I stop gutter blockage?

Twigs, leaves, shingle grit, and other forms of debris can block your gutters. If you have trees growing near your home or sprawling over your roof, your open gutters are likely to clog due to the accumulation of leaves and twigs. However, regular gutter cleaning, maintenance, and trimming of the nearby branches can help control the amount of leaves in your gutters. Installing gutter guards is the most cost-effective way to prevent leaves from entering your gutters.

2. Why is my gutter system not draining completely?

Suppose you have water standing in your gutter system. It could be due to gutter clogging, especially with leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other forms of debris. You can either clean the gutters yourself or hire a gutter cleaning company to manually unclog and clean your gutters. The contractor can also help install gutter guards to prevent future blockage.

3. What happens if gutters are clogged?

Gutter clogging is not a joke – it can cause a number of issues to your house, including a long list of problems with your foundation and roof. From rotting walls and water-related damage to mildew and mold, clogged gutters can cause extensive damage to the exterior and interior of your home. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may end up spending thousands of dollars to fix the damage. So, install gutter guards to prevent gutter clogging and rainwater overflow.