Don’t wait until fall or winter before paying attention to your home’s gutters. An overflowing gutter can damage your siding and foundation, rot your eaves, and flood your basement. To protect your residence, hire a gutter contractor to perform some important maintenance tasks. Here’s a simple guide to what you can expect them to do.

5 Upkeep Tasks Gutter Contractors Do

1. Cleaning

Before the fall season begins, it’s important to clear any debris that may have accumulated near and inside your gutters. This means climbing a ladder and sweeping off every leaf, twig, moss, and pod. Doing so will make it easier to inspect the gutters, since it’s easier to see damage or deterioration when everything is clean.

2. Full Inspection

After the cleaning process, your gutter contractor can then perform a thorough inspection. An expert can identify leaks, cracks, missing gaskets, sagging, popped screw heads, or loose connections. You'll want to address all of these before fall and winter come.

3. Install a Gutter Guard

The falling leaves and twigs of autumn can easily clog your gutters. If this happens, water can spill down the sides of your home, pool around the foundation, and cause significant damage. Gutter screens can keep large debris out to minimize the chances of clogging, and a professional will install them for you quickly and easily.

4. Trim Branches

Tree branches that hang over your roof can deposit organic debris that may cause deterioration. A gutter contractor will cut away these branches to reduce the amount of leaves, twigs, and seeds that accumulate in your gutters. 

5. Seal the Seams

Water will eventually rust the seams of your gutters and deteriorate the seals over time. This could lead to leaks and cause sagging. To prevent such issues, your gutter contractor will reseal the seams using a silicone-rubber caulking compound. They’ll also patch holes with roofing cement.  

When it comes to gutter maintenance and leak-free roofs, you can trust the gutter contractors from Bulldog Contractors. Serving Lakeville, MN, Centennial, CO, and Plano, TX, they also offer services such as storm damage restoration and repair, custom deck installation, and more. Call 1 (800) 888-2855 or visit their website for more information.