Unclog And Repair A Gutter System
Heavy wind and rain can cause debris to fall from trees and clog the gutter system that is attached to your home. Inclement weather may also result in small cracks forming in sections of the system. It this occurs, water may drip from the damaged sections and form puddles close to your home. Learn how to clean the gutter system's interior and patch cracks by completing the following steps so that the system operates properly and deposits water away from your home's exterior.
Materials
- ladder
- work gloves
- small bucket
- hand rake
- water hose
- mild detergent
- scrub brush
- tube brush
- tube of waterproof epoxy
- caulking gun
- putty knife
Unclog The Gutter System
Place a ladder next to the gutter system. Put on a pair of work gloves and carry a small bucket and hand rake up the ladder. Remove twigs, leaves, and any other debris from the gutter system's interior and put them in the bucket. If any pieces of debris are stuck, loosen them with the rake. Bring the bucket down the ladder when finished and spray the gutter system's interior with a steady stream of water.
If any surface stains are on parts of the gutter system, remove them with a small amount of mild detergent and a scrub brush. Spray the downspout with a steady stream of water. If it is severely clogged, insert a tube brush into the end of it and move it up and down to dislodge the materials that are stuck. Once the gutter system is clean and clog-free, wait for it to dry.
Patch Cracks In The System
Insert a tube of waterproof epoxy in a caulk gun. Fill any cracks in sections of the gutter system by applying pressure to the gun's trigger. As the epoxy is released, move the gun's tip slowly along each area that needs to be filled. Smooth out the epoxy with one side of a putty knife when done. Epoxy will need several hours to dry. Once this occurs, the gutter system will not leak when it rains. Waterproof epoxy will not shrink or peel after being exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
Prevent Future Problems
Keep the gutter system clog-free by cleaning it after storms and inspecting it a couple times a year for damage. As a result, roofing materials won't be as likely to become ruined and muddy areas will not be present next to your home.
Click on the link for residential rain gutter installation or do an online search.
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