With summer almost over, your thoughts may be turning to preparing your home for season changes. One task you don’t want to leave off of your to-do list is preparing your home’s gutters for autumn. Falling leaves, increased rain, and dropping temperatures will put your gutter system to the test, says the team at Advanced Seamless, West Salem, WI’s top gutter repair service. Below, they explain how to make sure your gutter system is equipped for the arrival of cooler weather:

How to Prepare Your Gutters for Fall

1. Remove Debris

Careful gutter cleaning is the first step in getting your home’s exterior ready for autumn. For best results, use a high-pressure garden hose to flush out large debris. Then, slip on some work gloves to scrub away remaining leaves or dirt with a mixture of warm water and dish soap.

2.  Inspect Thoroughly

Once cleaned, you’ll be able to inspect the condition of your gutters more clearly. As one of your home’s exterior components, they are susceptible to a lot of wear and tear from the elements. Before the leaves start falling, it’s important to examine your gutters for signs of damage. Specifically, be on the lookout for loose screws, signs of rust, leaks, and any unevenness or warping.

3. Make Repairs

If you’ve identified any leaks or damaged components on your gutter system, now is the time to fix them before they become larger problems. Discarded leaves can quickly become heavy when saturated with rain. This added weight may be too much for weakened mounting brackets to bear and can cause damaged gutter systems to fall or tear. If you’re not comfortable making repairs yourself, hire a gutter service to handle any problems.

4. Trim Trees

Though overhanging trees may provide enjoyable shade during the summer, they can quickly turn into a problem once they begin to shed their leaves. To prevent a build-up of leaves on your roof and in your gutters, trim back branches that sit over your home.

5. Protect Your Gutters

Seamless gutter systems offer the highest level of protection for your home. Once installed, these maintenance-free systems will prevent leaves and twigs from collecting in your gutters and help you avoid blockages and clogs. When installed by a professional, they can be customized to fit your home’s roof design and are very effective at preventing overflow, which can lead to erosion and water damage.

Get your gutters ready for fall with help from Advanced Seamless. Since 1989, their experienced team has been providing top-quality gutter installation and maintenance services. Visit their website for more information, or call 608-786-2929 to schedule a service appointment.