As a homeowner, one of your main responsibilities involves taking care of your home’s roof and gutters. Though you should be cleaning out your gutters a few times a month over the summer, you must not neglect your rooftop over the winter.
Even excellent rooftops that are in great condition need to be handled properly. But lower-quality roofs, as well as roofs that are over 20 years old, have a much greater likelihood of succumbing to harsh winter weather conditions like snow accumulation, high winds, and ice buildup. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your roof and gutters over the winter.
Here are some great winter gutter maintenance and cleaning tips:
- Inspect for structural damage — First, before you do anything, you should inspect your gutters to see if there is already serious damage that has occurred. Inspect seams and anchors, examine fascia, siding, foundation, search for leaks, and look for signs of staining, rotting, and other water-related damage. You might need major roofing repair work or gutter replacement, which should be addressed before general maintenance tasks. Make sure you’re being extremely careful whenever getting on top of your home’s roof. It’s best to let a family member or neighbor know whenever you go onto your roof so someone is aware you’re up there just in case you fall.
- Consult with a professional gutter cleaning service provider — Whether you’re in need of some thorough repair jobs or complete gutter replacement, you shouldn’t do everything yourself if you want to ensure home, roof, and gutter protection over the winter. Hiring a professional gutter cleaning company is a great way to keep gutters clean and protected over the winter, subsequently saving your time, money, and stress in the long run.
- Utilize heat tape and de-icer — Install heat tape on the gutters to remove any ice blockage that might have occurred from water freezing inside the gutter and troughs. Since untreated ice blockage can create water damage on the roof, de-icer and heating tape are great for preserving your home’s structure over the winter.
If you want to learn more about taking care of your gutters over the winter or hire professional gutter replacement and gutter cleaning services, give Gutter Maid a call today!