Wood gutters need regular cleaning to help prevent rot and moisture damage. The main reason for this is the exposure they receive from rain and snow. It can also be caused by improper drainage systems.
Water-soaked soils can soften the ground around your home, which can cause foundation shifting and costly repairs. It’s also a good idea to keep your gutters free of debris so that water is properly directed away from your house.
If your gutters are overflowing during heavy rain, then it may be time for you to clean them out. Start by removing the large leaves and branches in your gutter system. This can be done with either a gutter scoop or a leaf blower. Then, use a hose to spray down the gutters and drains to make sure that all the debris is removed.
A lot of homeowners are hesitant to clean their gutters because they think that doing so will impede their water flow or the performance of their gutter system. But in reality, a well-maintained gutter system can actually help to enhance the overall performance of your roof and help to prevent leaks.
When it comes to wood rain gutter staining, it’s important that you consider the weather conditions and the type of wood that you have installed. This will affect how quickly your wood will deteriorate, and it will affect what you need to do to get it back into good shape.
If you are living in a very dry climate, then your wood gutters will be in much better shape. However, even if you are in a moist climate, your wood gutters still need to be cleaned out and painted every few years.
Once you have the outside of your gutters and downspouts cleaned out, it’s time to examine the inside. Look for cracks, crevices, and stains. These can be the result of over-wetting in heavy rains, or they could be from clogged drains or downspouts.
Tannin stains are an indication that the wood is being saturated with water. This will eventually lead to rot and other problems, like wood siding or trim that won’t look as good or may be damaged by moisture.
Regardless of the type of wood that you have, it’s best to use some sort of water-repellant preservative on the interior of your gutters. Some of the best options include Cuprinol, Chevron Shingle Oil and Thompson’s Ultra Wood Sealer.
It’s also a good idea to check for caulking and chinking gaps between the logs in your wooden gutters. Stretched and torn seals can let in water, causing rot and wood decay. You can replace these or touch up the cracks and crevices with a caulk gun.
The most important thing you can do is to regularly clean out the gutters of your home. It’s a small job, but it can make a big difference in the health of your home. It can also help to increase your home’s value and curb appeal. If you are unsure of how to do this, or if it’s too dangerous for you to do it yourself, call a professional gutter cleaner like Gutter Cleaning Greenville SC to handle the job for you.
