Maintaining and cleaning your gutters in Lafayette, LA is an important part of exterior home maintenance. Without proper maintenance, gutters can get clogged and weighed down. When gutters are heavy with leaves and refuse, they can cause damage to the soffit and fascia on your home. Simple maintenance of your gutters can prevent you from having to completely replace or repair your soffit and fascia.
When cleaning your gutters in Lafayette, LA, it’s best to start near the downspout and grab the bigger debris such as leaves and sticks with a trowel and dump in a bucket. Downspouts can be cleaned using a plumber’s snake to loosen any clogs and a garden hose can wash it down. Always clean your gutters while standing on a ladder, not the roof of your home. The smaller debris can be rinsed down the gutters. While rinsing your gutters out, check the joints and seams for leaks. If you notice a leak, clean and dry the area and repair with silicone caulk. Make sure all gutter screws are in place correctly as well, as sagging gutters can create issues down the road. Lastly, make sure the water that comes out of the downspouts is diverted away from your house. You can do this with a splash block, a gutter extension, or an irrigation pipe.
Properly maintained gutters protect the foundation of your home by improving drainage. Your landscaping, trim, and bricks are protected from stains and rot as well. Gutters also protect the interior of your home by diverting water away doors and windows and other leak-susceptible areas of your home.