The gutter is one of the most overlooked necessities of the house, and plugged gutters can be worse than no gutters at all. When a gutter becomes plugged, water is forced to run against the house and could cause problems with rot. A good preventive-maintenance program is essential for keeping your gutters in working order. Sharp objects such as thorns and roofing nails often end up in gutters. Wear heavy gloves for protection when you clean them. Start cleaning at the downspout and work your way to the other end. When you're finished, rinse out the gutter with a garden hose. If the downspout is clogged, try forcing a garden hose into the opening and spraying to force the clog loose. If that doesn't work, thread a plumber's snake into the opening to clear out the clog. Installing Gutter Guard To prevent gutters from filling up with leaves, install a gutter guard. Made of nonrusting material such as vinyl or aluminum, these products can keep leaves and debris out of your gutters. Materials:
Sharp scissors or snips to cut gutter-guard
material
Needle-nose pliers
Speed square
Tools to repair gutters (if necessary), including pop-rivet tool, silicone caulk and caulk gun, and drill
Install the gutter guard from the rooftop only if you have secure footing. Otherwise, use a ladder. Gutter-guard strips should overlap by about 1/2". For outside corners, miter the cuts for a smooth fit. Use a speed square to mark 45-degree angle cuts. For inside corners, simply butt the pieces of gutter guard together. - Attach the clips to the gutter guard. If necessary, the clips may be removed later with needle-nose pliers.
- Clip the guard to the top of the gutters on the side farthest from the roof (figure A).
- Fold the guard over, and tuck it under the shingles.
You can also install a guard to prevent larger objects from getting stuck in the downspout.
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