When the weather begins to warm up, home owners begin to pull their lawnmowers out of the shed and begin their yard work. Unfortunately, gutters are in a terrible state and are a huge time-saver. While it may not seem like a glamorous chore to clean your gutters, you’ll find that they’re a real mess once winter is over. You’ll need to get out on a ladder and start whacking at the tiniest pieces of debris. Plus, you’ll have to climb up a ladder, which is a dangerous task, and this is especially true for older people. To avoid such a scenario, you should consider installing a gutter guard, which will block the majority of the debris that collects in your gutters.

Gutter Guard Installation

Before installing a gutter guard, you should remove the old one. If you’re using a metal gutter, you’ll need to remove all the old tar and wire-brush the gutter to remove rust. Once this is done, you can apply a special adhesive primer and tape to secure the downspout. Afterward, install a new downspout over the top of the old one.

Gutter Material Costs

You can purchase a new downspout for about $9 to $12 per linear foot. A copper downspout will cost you about $14 to $15 per linear foot, and zinc gutters will cost you nine to 18 cents. You can purchase straight sections of guttering on the internet or from a home center and install them yourself. But for a professional installation, vinyl gutters can be extremely expensive. These gutters aren’t as sturdy as steel, and they can bend under heavy weights. But they do have a 20-year warranty.

You’ll want to check your gutters several times per year. Depending on the size of your roof, you may want to clean your gutters three times a year. This can be done easily by hand or with a water-powered air blower. Once the gutters are cleaned, you can reinstall them with stainless steel sheet metal screws. Make sure to tighten and replace any loose hardware. You should also use caulk to seal any small holes and leaks.

While it’s essential to clean your gutters a few times a year, it’s even better to have them professionally installed if possible. Depending on the number of trees that overhang your house, you might need to clean them three to four times a year. During the spring and fall seasons, you should hire a professional company to do the cleaning. Regardless of the type of gutter you choose, you’ll have a gutter that’s perfect for your home.