Residential Gutters in Baton Rouge: Preparing Your Roof for Winter

It usually takes the leaves a little longer to fall in south Louisiana. However, between the hurricanes, tropical storms, and random, windy, rainy summer afternoons, there is no lack of debris to be found in your gutters. With that being said, this is a great time to check and clear your gutters before the freezing temperatures and continued precipitation arrive. Here are a few reasons why you want your home to have clear gutters as the seasons change, as well as some of the consequences that gutter problems can create.

Why Should You Clean Your Gutters Before Winter?

Clogged gutters create significant drainage issues that go far beyond rain, snow, and sleet sloshing out of your gutters. As leaves continue to fall, as well as other debris like dirt, sticks, twigs, and more, this problem will only be exacerbated if the gutters aren’t cleared as winter approaches. Begin by cleaning out the large debris. Wearing heavy-duty gloves, you can remove most of the large blockages. While you’re up there, be sure to inspect your gutters. Check for cracks, leaks, and other damage. Any issues with your gutters can quickly deteriorate in the harsh conditions of winter.

What Can Happen If You Don't Clean Your Gutters?

Checking and cleaning your gutters can seem like a major inconvenience; however, it is necessary to prevent you from potentially losing a lot more time and money. So what can happen if you don’t keep an eye on your gutters? Let’s begin with the purpose your gutters serve. Gutters are designed to capture and distribute precipitation away from your home. If they aren’t able to do perform this task, the consequences can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. If water is allowed to inundate the soil near your foundation from overflowing, it can cause it to shift, resulting in severe structural damage. Overflowing gutters can also destroy your landscaping. Rainwater can wash away mulch, overwhelm flowers, and damage other greenery. If there is a freeze, the water that stays in your gutters due to clogs can overwhelm the structure of your gutter system and rip it away from your home. Lastly, if water is allowed to back up away from your gutters, it can put extra stress on your roof, causing leaks and other damage.

Your home’s gutters serve an important role. If you’ve noticed some damage or that they aren’t performing like they used to, it may be time to update, upgrade, or at least repair your gutters. This is also a good opportunity to check the health and condition of your roof. For decades the experts at Cribbs Inc. have been helping home and business owners with their roofing and sheet metal.