| |
 Home Improvements DIY - Clogged Gutters
The seasons turn and your house takes a beating from all of the wind and rain hitting your home. Your gutters can quickly get clogged with all of the debris hurled through the air. There are steps that you can do to keep your gutters in good shape, and it wont take too long to do it. Regular home maintenance is the key to keeping your gutters like new. Read on about 5 tips that will help you keep the clog out of your guttering system.
If youre old enough to remember the inside ritual of spring and fall cleaning by Grandma, youll remember that it happened every year. Even if it didnt look like it needed it. Grandma was smart and Grandpa was just as smart too. Outside maintenance was important then, just like it is today. So get into the habit of cleaning those gutters before stuff starts growing in
them!
Here are a few tips on how to get safely up to clean your gutters in the spring and fall. Read over them and take them to heart when climbing on a ladder and roof.
Before you go up on top of the roof put on a tool belt with handy pockets and secure it tightly around your waist. Check out your ladder too. Make sure the rubberized foot pads are securely in tack, and no bent places in the frame are seen.
Wear good fitting foot wear and tuck shoelaces into the shoe before climbing. Wear and take along an extra pair of gloves that are snug but not to tight fitting.
Its advisable to have someone on the ground with you when climbing up. If an accident occurs, or even if you just need some tools, its good to have an extra pair of hands.
Before you start climbing up on the roof hook up your hose, and check for any leaks in the line. You want to be sure that youve got full water pressure in the line, so you can clean your gutters efficiently. Also make sure to add extensions so your water hose will reach all gutters on the house. Having a ground person is handy with the hose here because knots and twists will limit water pressure when moving the hose around from the roof.
On your modified tool belt youll need some tools to clean your gutters. Peek at these to see what youll need.
Trowel. Use your trowel to scoop out mud from your gutter.
Bucket. If there is excess mud scoop it into the bucket and lower or dispose of it nearby.
Wire Hanger. Straighten out a wire hanger, and use to poke debris through the downspout if clogged.
Salad Tongs. This can be used to clean out the connection called an outlook, or as some call it the gooseneck. This extra piece is connected at the top of the gutter to the downspout. Itll often become clogged with leaves, and a salad tong will pull out the muck.
Rag. Take two or three of them. Slippery muddy hands could cause an accident.
Now that you know how to be safe when cleaning out your gutters, and what tools youll need to clean them out, lets look at 5 ways that you can prevent clogging of your gutters.
Clean Routinely. Clean out your gutters every spring and fall. When done regularly it will sometimes only require you to run a power spray nozzle into the gutters and downspouts.
Install Wire Mesh. The wire mesh will keep most of the larger debris from entering into your gutter and causing clogs. You can find kits at most hardware stores. Use the correct mesh to keep debris out.
Adjust Gutters. Gutters need to be checked for the correct pitch to them. Without correct pitch the gutters will clog, and catch more leaves and other types of debris.
Coating and Seal. Apply a coating inside to help flush the debris down your gutters. A good coating will also prevent rust and damage to your fascia board.
Flush Fixture. There are new products on the market that attach to the under side and top of the board that will collect debris, but the water will run smoothly, and eventually will push the debris through the down spout.
Take care of your gutters and they will last a life time. Its worth the extra time and effort.
These Biscuits arent for Eating! Importance of those Wood Biscuits in Woodworking
There's a saying in woodworking that you should probably hear: Good woodworking projects use glue. Great woodworking projects use a little more. That little more means wood biscuits. Wood biscuits are small oval shaped discs that are inserted with...
Decked Out Ten Things to Consider Before Building your Outside Deck
Decks are one of the most beautiful additions to any home. They add beauty, value, and a serene home getaway that is unbeatable. Imagine yourself sunbathing on your deck with the rays of summer sunshine dancing on your lawn chair. Imagine having a...
What is Wainscoting and Why is it so Popular?
Wainscoting has been a popular form of wall coating for more than a hundred years. Essentially, wainscoting is paneling that is used on the lower half of walls inside your house. It can be made of wood, marble, ceramic tile, heavy fabric, or newer...
Spackle, Shmackle: Five Easy Tips to Patch a Hole in the Wall
Its easy to make a hole in a wall, but how easy is it to fix one? Its easier than you might think to fix any size hole in your wall. Here are five easy tips to follow. 1. Determine the Size of Your Hole Different size holes require...
You Got It Nailed Five Types of Nails and What they are Used For
If youve ever gotten confused over nails in your hardware department store then youre not alone. Nails are used in a variety of materials for projects such as masonry and wood, which are two of the most common materials. There are long and short...
Home Improvements DIY : Older garage doors are often the subject of replacement in a home. At some point in the life of the door, they simply wear out. The great news in this project, though, is that new garage doors have features manufacturers never even considered in older models... |
|
|
|
|
