3 Key Steps to Prepare the Gutters for Winter

Winter is a crucial time for your house guttering because they have to handle a large volume of rain and melted snow. Preparing them in advance can help prevent leaks and clogs, which could otherwise lead to foundation and or siding damage from escaping water. Here’s what you need to do to make sure your home is ready.

How to Get the Gutters Ready for Colder Weather

1. Clean Them Out

Fall causes many falling leaves to end up on the roof and in your gutters, where they can cause blockages and trap water so that it backs up onto your eaves and siding. Removing leaves and any other debris lets water flow freely, which is especially important at this time of year. 

At least once at the end of fall, you or a professional should use a long-handled brush to sweep any leaves off the roof, so rainwater can’t knock them into the gutter; then, using a shorter brush or gloved hands, remove any material that’s settled in the pipe itself.

2. Perform Any Needed Gutter Repairs

When the gutters are full, the structure becomes heavy as the stagnant water settles in the system. When this happens, it can cause visible damage. Go around the outside of your house and look for any yellow, black, or rusty stains on the brick or siding. These are areas where you have a leak that needs to be repaired. 

Also, look for places where the gutter is sagging or has come loose from your eaves. The gutter needs to maintain the right slope to direct water toward the downspouts; any sagging areas may make the water run backward or pool, so refasten the gutter to the fascia.

3. Install Gutter Guards

In winter, any water in the clogged gutters will freeze, forming chunks of ice. As more liquid continues to pour through, it can seep under the shingles and cause leaks. Gutter guards are designed to let water through while keeping leaves out, either using a micromesh or a carefully designed lip like Gutter Helmet to direct the flow of water. With this system, your seamless gutters don’t need cleaning nearly as often, and clogs are much less likely to form.

For gutter repairs, cleaning or gutter guards before winter, choose East Tennessee Continuous Guttering Inc. Based in Knoxville, this licensed and insured contractor serves Knox, Blount, Sevier, Anderson, Loudon, Jefferson, and Union counties, as well as anywhere in between. They offer a 25-year warranty on their gutter material and five years on workmanship. To get an estimate, call (865) 687-0170 or visit their website.