Before winter: clean and maintain gutters
The cleaning and maintenance of the gutters should be done at least once a year to prevent waterlogging and improve their flow capacity. Our recommendations to inspect them effectively and make some repairs in due form if necessary.
Deep cleaning
In the fall, it is important to clean your gutter to prepare it for bad weather and falling leaves.
We advise you to carry out this operation with two: one person will hold the ladder, while another will take care of the cleaning.
Here are the different steps to follow:
1 - Remove the deposits
Unclog your gutter by removing any solid deposits that may be in it.
2 - Clean the gutter with high pressure jet
Your gutter will hold well over the years.
3 - Control the flow
Check the flow of your gutter by pouring water into one of the ducts.
Good maintenance of its gutters
unclog
If your gutter is clogged, unblock the duct with a suitable tool (hook or special brush). If the object is too big, cut out your gutter, remove the blocking object and then repair with a suitable kit.
If your home is surrounded by vegetation, consider manually uncluttering your gutter between annual maintenance sessions. You will facilitate the work and increase the life expectancy of your ducts.
Repair leaks
When controlling the flow of your gutter, you can also perform a leak test.
To do this, block both ends of the gutter (manually or with the help of suitable accessories) and observe if the water is contained in the gutter. If it flows at different points of the gutter, it is probably a leak. In general, holes, cracks and other minor gutter damage are easy to repair.
To restore your gutter, make sure it is dry and clean. You can use a cloth soaked in alcohol to burn on the area to be filled. Then, use a putty to seal the holes and recreate the seal . For larger holes, a sheet of glass will do just fine.
Be careful if you have a zinc gutter: prefer to call a specialist for any repairs. Zinc indeed requires soldering with tin or aluminum, not obvious to control when you are not professional.
scour
Once all the cleaning and repair steps of your gutters have been completed, the time is at the aesthetic aspect. The goal is for gutters to be as clean on the inside as on the outside.
Have a cloth and a stripper adapted to your type of gutter (inquire at a DIY store to find the right product). The choice will vary depending on the material from which your gutter is made.
Provide long-term protection
Once the cleaning done, it's time to equip yourself with accessories that will protect your gutter until the next maintenance, and this throughout the year.
The crapaudine
The crapaudine acts as a sieve. Placed at the top of the duct of your gutter, it allows to pass the water while retaining the deposits. Inexpensive, she settles very quickly. We recommend it especially if your home is surrounded by trees. A good investment after a big cleaning!
The stop-leaves
This grid is placed on the entire gutter to prevent deposits from blocking the flow of water. To put it in place, you only have to clip it to the gutter.
The conduit protector
This is a kind of ring, to place on the ducts to protect them from possible shocks or wind.
The dolphin arches
They serve to reinforce the bottom of the gutter down, more exposed to shocks, especially if you live in town and your gutter gives on the sidewalk.
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----
Read also :
> Roofing: the materials for his house
> Rent a scaffold for his work? It's possible !