The best time to clean gutters is after most of the leaves are down and before the ground freezes. In Putnam County and across the Hudson Valley that usually means late October through mid-November. Gutters full of wet leaves are heavy, they freeze solid, and they dump water into places it should never go. Here is how we go through a gutter system, and what to look for as you do.
1. Clear the debris by hand
Scoop out leaves, seed pods and shingle grit by hand or with a gutter scoop, working toward the downspout. Bag it as you go. Do not blast it with a hose first, since that just turns debris into sludge that clogs the downspout outlet. Look for the black granules that wash off asphalt shingles. A lot of them means the roof is wearing and worth a closer look.
2. Flush the downspouts
Once the troughs are clear, run a hose into each downspout. Water should come out the bottom at full volume. If it backs up, the clog is usually at the elbow. A plumber's snake or a gentle push from below will clear it. Make sure underground drain connections are open too.
3. Check the pitch and the hangers
Gutters need a slight slope toward the downspout, about a quarter inch for every ten feet. After the flush, look for standing water in the troughs. Pools mean the gutter has sagged. Check that hangers or spikes are tight in the fascia and that no sections are pulling away. Loose fasteners are the main reason gutters fail under an ice load.
4. Inspect seams, corners and the fascia
Leaks usually show up at joints and end caps. Look for drip stains on the siding, peeling paint on the fascia and soft or dark wood behind the gutter. Small seam leaks can be resealed. Rotted fascia needs to be repaired before the gutter is rehung or it will not hold.
5. Point the water away from the house
Downspouts should discharge at least four to six feet from the foundation, using extensions or splash blocks. Water that soaks in beside the foundation ends up in the basement, and in winter it heaves walkways and steps.
6. Consider gutter guards
If you have a lot of trees, guards cut down how often you have to climb a ladder. They are not maintenance-free, though. Fine debris and pine needles still build up on top, so a yearly check is still needed. A good guard is fitted to your gutter and does not leave gaps for water to overshoot.
7. Think ice dams
Clogged gutters hold meltwater against the roof edge, where it freezes and backs up under the shingles. Clean gutters, a proper attic air seal and good insulation are the best defense against ice dams in our climate.
If you would rather keep your feet on the ground, we clean, repair, replace and guard gutters for homeowners in Putnam, Westchester, Dutchess, Fairfield and Litchfield counties. See our gutter services page or request a free estimate.