As you probably know, your home requires maintenance in many areas and your gutters and downspouts are no exception.

Seamless Gutters – How to Maintain

You should clean out your gutters 2-3 times a year to ensure that they stay free flowing and exterior surface does not get stained.

Every few years you should do a tune up on your gutters and downspouts, such as resecuring and repitching gutters, resealing corners, and reattaching loose downspouts and elbows.

Check to make sure your splash blocks are angled so the water flows away from the foundation of the house. Please do not angle them towards any walk or driveway since this could cause a slipping hazard.

How to Tell If Your Gutters are Clogged

Are your gutters overflowing?
Is there restricted flow of water from your downspouts?
Do you see ground erosion below the gutter line?
Do you see leaky corners?
Is there discoloration (not dirt, mold or mildrew) on the gutter?

Clogged gutters will cause the corners to leak. The gutters will pull away and eventually fall off. Clogged gutters cause wet basements, mold and mildew, ruined landscaping, and the stagnant water will cause an insect infestation (think West Nile Virus).