Taking good care of your gutters is an important step in protecting your home from water damage – but if you’re like most Michigan homeowners, you haven’t really thought about winterizing them.
Here’s what you need to know.
How to Get Your Gutters Ready for Winter
Winter isn’t that far off, so it’s time to put your gutters on your To-Do list pretty soon. Here’s what you need to do to get your gutters ready for winter:
- Clean them
- Repair sagging metal
- Seal leaking end caps
- Add gutter covers
- Install heating cables, if possible
Let’s take a closer look at each.
#1. Clean the gutters
Use a gutter scoop (or another plastic scoop, like a child’s sandbox shovel) to clean leaves, twigs and debris from your gutters. Run clean water through them to get out smaller pieces of debris.
Related: How to clean your gutters
#2. Repair sagging metal
If your gutters are sagging, you’ll need gutter hangers. That way, they’re lined up the way they need to be so water can drain properly.
#3. Seal leaking end caps
If the end caps of your gutters are leaking – which can happen even if you have seamless gutters – it’s time to seal them. You can scrub the ends to remove oxidation before installing sealer.
#4. Add gutter covers
Gutter covers can reduce the amount of debris that gets into your gutters in the first place. It’s a good idea to install them before fall hits – that way, you can save yourself some time cleaning them before winter.
#5. Install heating cables, if possible
You can add heating cables to your gutter to help prevent ice dams. Just make sure you’re using cables specifically designed for gutters – and install them before the first snow.
Do You Need a Disaster Remediation Expert in Washtenaw County or Jackson County?
If your home has already been damaged, we can help. Check out our services and call Exact Recon for your free disaster remediation quote today. We offer:
