Gutters are critical to the well-being of your roof and home for many reasons. Whether you have new faux copper gutters or new vinyl gutters, you’ll want to keep them looking new and functioning as they’re intended to. Gutters that are clogged or damaged will not help direct rain and precipitation off your roof. 

In this article were are going to discuss the basic maintenance strategies you should use to take care of your new gutters to have them last for years. 

Ways To Keep New Gutters From Clogging

A clogged gutter is worse than useless it can be harmful to your home. Clogged gutters will not redirect water away from your home. Water that doesn’t drain through your downspouts has an increased chance of settling in the soil next to your foundation. The standing water may even seep into your home’s foundation.

When water pools in your new gutters, it can reach the brim then overflow. Once the water overflows it will run down the side of your home, jeopardizing your foundation. When the water near your foundation pools and then freezes, it can cause cracks/splits and other significant problems for the foundation of the home. 

A homeowner must consistently monitor the downspouts in their gutter system. Gravity will send leaves and debris down into the downspout, but too much debris will clog the system, causing the water to back up. 

There is a defensive measure that can help with these issues – new gutter guards. 

Install Gutter Guards

There are a variety of gutter guard options available, but they all serve the same purpose. Gutter guards will keep debris like sticks, leaves, and tree matter from collecting in your downspouts. Gutter guards allow water/liquids to pass through its filtering system while larger objects cannot. The debris ends up sliding off of your gutter guards and lands on the ground for easy removal. 

Do You Think You Roof May Be Suffering From Dry Rot?

Read Our Blog To Learn More About This Dangerous Condition

Clear Trees and Flora Away From Your New Gutters & Roof

If your property has lots of trees and large hedges near the house and roof, you’re bound to endure some challenges. 

All types of flora will drop leaves, sap, pine cones, nuts, twigs, branches – one form of debris or the other is bound to land on your roof and gutter if trees surround your home. Depending on the varieties and species of the trees on your property, lots of debris may be produced. This is especially true for pine needles during the late fall.

As the wind blows in the fall and winter months, the tree debris will scatter over your home. If you cannot/will not remove the trees away from your home, then at least trim back large branches and limbs. It’s best to trim the trees far back enough so that the closest branch or limb is at least 8ft from your home. 

Get Your Roof Inspected For Potential Debris

It’s not just leaves and tree debris that can get clogged in your gutters. Your roof can produce debris that will enter your gutters as well if it’s not attended to and serviced. 

Loose shingles that are either old, rotted, or damaged can slide down your roof and end up in your new gutters. Rubber or metal roof flashing that is damaged or dislodged can also trickle down your roof and into your gutters. Make sure to have a professional roofing company inspect and service your roof to ensure no roofing debris can get into your gutter system. 

Hire Professionals To Service Your Gutters

It is recommended that you have your gutters cleaned at least twice per year. Throughout the year, dispensing on your location, it’s usually best to get your gutters inspected in the spring and fall. No matter how airtight your gutter guards are, it’s better to inspect your gutter system bi-annually than suffer the potential damages to your roof and home.

To learn more about professional roofing in Arlington, MA, and gutter services, please contact us today.