If you are a native of the Kentucky area, you know how hot the summers can be and how cold the winters get. Not only is this difficult for you, but it is also hard on your Northern Kentucky gutters and downspouts. The season changes, as well as the severe weather, can cause stress on the equipment and cause it to function poorly. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top four ways to maintain your gutters and downspouts to keep your drainage system fully functioning over each season.

1. Regular inspections

The best way to maintain your Northern Kentucky gutters and downspouts is with frequent evaluations of the drainage system. This includes a quick check to make sure your downspouts are still attached correctly and they are not leaking. Look for rust or corrosion spots and seal them immediately. Also, check to see how far your water is flowing from your foundation. Lastly, make sure there’s no painting that’s peeling on the gutters or behind them, as this can be a sign of moisture damage.

2. Northern Kentucky gutters and downspouts cleaning regimen

The next best method to maintaining your gutters and downspouts is to have a cleaning regimen that you perform. This could be monthly or quarterly depending on your needs. If you have a lot of foliage or trees that overhang your gutters, you may need to clean them out more often. If you do not have debris, they can go a little longer between cleanings. Make sure if you perform power washing on your home in the spring or fall that you avoid the drainage system as the high pressure can cause damage to them. One way to see if you need a gutter cleaning is to watch the gutters during a rainstorm. If they are overflowing the sides, a clog somewhere needs to be cleared.

3. Add extensions or leaf guards

Another way to maintain your Northern Kentucky gutters and downspouts is with the addition of leaf guards to prevent debris in the troughs, or downspout extensions to redirect the rainwater away from your home’s foundation as well as the HVAC system. If the downspouts have water that is flowing less than five feet from your home, you need to add extensions. This will allow the water to be pushed out into your yard to prevent seepage into the basement, mold growth, or a shifting foundation. The addition of leaf guards will help prevent many gutter cleanings as you will not have seeds, pods, twigs, leaves, and other debris constantly falling into the troughs. You will still have to clean the gutters but it will be much less and an easier process.

4. Fix leaks immediately

If after your inspection of the drainage system, whether it is a monthly check or after a severe storm, you notice the gutters leaking, call a local handyman or a professional gutter crew immediately. Leaking can occur for many reasons, but none of them are good, as it will cost you in the end. Usually, the seam where the gutters adjoin or the rear seam of the downspout has been damaged when a leak has been found. If you notice minor leaking, this could be due to pinholes, which are caused by rust or corrosion. This is a simple fix as you can seal the hole with roofing cement or metal flashing if it is a larger hole.

As you can see, there are many ways to keep your drainage system working well. Whether you set a cleaning regimen, add extensions or leaf guards, or repair any leaks as needed, your gutters will continuously be functioning the way they were intended. If you follow our advice on the top four ways to maintain your Northern Kentucky gutters and downspouts, you will have the best draining and functional gutters in all of Kentucky!