Well-maintained gutters protect your siding and plantings,
and help keep water out of your basement.
When you consider that your roof's drainage system annually diverts thousands of gallons of water from your
house's exterior and foundation walls, you can see why it merits a semiannual inspection.
All gutters must slope slightly toward their outlets. From there, an elbow connects with a leader, then another
elbow, the downspout, and a third elbow that directs the spout outlet away from the wall.
Check gutters and downspouts every spring before heavy rains begin and late in fall after leaves have fallen.
Remove all debris that is clogging the system, look for rust or corrosion, and be vigilant for low spots where
water may be standing.
Because standing water causes most gutter problems, make sure the gutters slope toward their outlets.
To check this, pour some water into the gutter and watch what happens.
Eliminate sags by lifting the gutter section slightly. Look for and repair loose hangers, or bend up the hanger
with a pair of pliers. If this doesn't do the trick, install an additional hanger.
Time: Four to six hours for a medium-sized house.
Skills: Basic and ladder skills.
Tools: Hose and sprayer, wire brush, putty knife, ladder, hammer, hacksaw, pliers, drill.
Step-by-Step
1. Remove debris
Debris clogs up gutters and downspouts and holds moisture that causes rust, rot, and corrosion.
Fasten a metal angle to the end of a long pole or board, then use it to rake debris toward you. Finish up
by scraping with a wire brush.
2. Wash out with a hose
Hose your gutters clean, beginning at the high end of each run—or in the middle of runs having spouts
at both.
3. Blast out blockage
Often you can blast out spout blockage with water pressure or a
plumber's snake. Otherwise, you may have to dismantle the downspouts.
4. Scrape gutter clean
If the inside of a gutter is rusting, scrape and wire-brush it clean, then apply a thin coat of roofing cement.
5. Sand and seal wood gutters
Sand wooden gutters down to bare wood, apply linseed oil, let dry, then apply two coats of roofing cement.
© Copyright 2007, Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved
This content was provided courtesy of Sears
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know-how and resources to maintain and improve their homes.
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