Your gutters perform the crucial role of rerouting water away from your home, protecting the roof and keeping the home’s interior safe and dry. Unfortunately, this drainage system can accumulate debris over time, paving the way for pooling water and other problems. Here are three maintenance tips you should remember when you clean your gutters and why. 

Tips for Gutter Cleaning

1. Bring the Right Supplies 

Over the months, your gutters can fill with everything from dead leaves and twigs to shingle granules and decomposing organic material. To stay safe and clean while you work, bring the right supplies for the job. In addition to using a tall, sturdy ladder, wear a pair of rubber gloves to keep your hands clean. A small shovel can also help to scoop away debris. 

2. Protect Your Lawn & Landscaping

While you can use a bucket to collect refuse from small gutter cleaning jobs, larger tasks might call for dumping leaves and other items directly below the ladder where you’re working. Unfortunately, some debris that tends to collect in gutters could damage your lawn or landscaping — such as the asphalt granules that come loose from shingles. To protect your lawn and gardens, place a tarp on the ground underneath where you’re working. 

3. Test Them Afterwards

After cleaning your gutters and downspouts, test your system by running water through it with a garden hose. Watch out for leaks, areas of pooling water, or new blockages that may occur near downspouts. If any of these problems occur, remove the blockages and call for professional repairs.

If you spot leaks or other gutter problems during your seasonal cleaning, turn to Farley's Roofing, Inc. in Elyria, OH. In addition to performing repairs, these experienced professionals also replace gutters, making it easy to protect your home and roof. Learn why people have turned to Farley’s Roofing for more than 20 years by visiting their website or by giving their team a call at (440) 322-1142.