When maintained properly, rain gutters will last for decades. There are many things you can do to prolong the life of your gutters. Cleaning and inspecting them once or twice a year is a simple way to ensure your gutters continue to protect your home for many years to come.

INSPECTION

With time you may find minor damage that will call for repair. Take a look at the general appearance of your rain gutters to evaluate if they are working properly. Here are some signs to look for:

Leaks:

Corners and end caps, in particular, can be easily repaired by applying new sealant.

Sagging:

Are your gutters pulling away? Over time the spikes or hangers may loosen, requiring minimal repairs by simply replacing the loose hardware.

Clogging:

Towards the end of autumn, check to make sure your gutters are free of debris, removing anything that might clog the gutter. If you have a persistent problem with this, consider adding screens or some other form of leaf protection to your gutter to prevent this problem.

CLEANING

Whether you call a professional or decide to do the job by yourself, maintaining your rain gutters can be a simple task if you keep up with a scheduled cleaning twice a year. A gutter guard is a preventive maintenance tool that would keep out large debris, making the cleaning process easier. Keep in mind that in places with higher humidity, your rain gutters will have a tendency to get more dirt stains and tiger striping, so you might have to clean them more often; the longer you wait, the more debris will accumulate and the harder cleaning them will be.