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Tuesday Home Maintenance Tip: Clean Your Gutters!

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

Tuesday Tip Clip ArtToday's maintenance tip "Keep Your Gutters Clean" comes from practical experience in the life of a Realtor.

On occasion, I have viewed homes with small gardens growing in the gutters. It's ok to have roof-top gardens if they are designed as such, but vegetation growing in gutters is not ok.

The number one purpose of gutters is to direct water away from your home. If gutters are clogged with leaves, dirt and debris, you could soon face an unsightly and damaging situation.

Clogged gutters can also be the "root cause" of other issues, including foundation and roof issues, fascia rot (I've witnessed this first-hand), and insect infestation. Do yourself a favor; keep your gutters free from debris by having routine maintenance performed on your gutters. All you need is a sturdy ladder and a pair of gloves. If height is a concern, you can hire someone to do this for you.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about maintaining your roof's system. You might want to refer to it for additional information.

 

Until next Tuesday, Happy Home Maintenance!

Comments(14)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Pat - unintended consequences can run amuck when home maintenance goes amuck.  Your gutter-cleaning message is an important reminder. 

May 28, 2024 05:09 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

These are very good tips!  Would you believe that I don't even have gutters on my home?  We don't get enough rain in my area to even need them, haha.

May 28, 2024 05:20 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Excellent advice, Pat. I'm always amazed at how many well-maintained homes I see that have neglected their gutters.

May 28, 2024 05:25 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Pat and thank you for the outstanding tips for grill cleaning.  My gas grill got a major work out this whole weekend.

May 28, 2024 06:48 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. Clogged gutters can cause unexpected water damage.

May 28, 2024 07:00 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty this is important regular maintenance.  Clogged gutters can cause a lot of roof damage. 

May 28, 2024 07:19 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty ,

Many homeowners don't understand the need to be sure to follow regular maintenance of their homes. It's in many cases preventative steps that could lead to bigger problems. Its amazing how clogged gutters can do so much damage! Good tip to share. 

May 28, 2024 10:54 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Even the most simple of maintenance if ignored can cause significant problems, and $$$.  Good post.  m

May 28, 2024 11:38 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

HI Pat- pay them now or pay them later!   First time homeowners would benefit from this information!!! That Clogged gutter commercial is going through my head. 

May 28, 2024 06:21 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Michael Jacobs - too many things run amuck in this life; home maintenance shouldn't be one of them. 

Brian England - in one regard, lucky you! You don't have rain gutters, but do you have grass? If not, you are double lucky because you don't have to mow! Now if you have grass and have to water AND mow, that's a different story.

May 28, 2024 06:31 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Nina Hollander, Broker - if the homeowner or close neighbor has trees in the yard, gutter cleaning can be an ongoing task.

Roy Kelley - Absolutely! Sadly, I've seen gutters cause fascia rot in many instances. Maintenance cannot be neglected.

May 28, 2024 06:35 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

George Souto - neglected gutters certainly do cause damage, with roofs, fascias, leaks, etc.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - damage is preventable, absolutely. Thanks, Dorie.

May 28, 2024 06:38 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho - Absolutely! Deferred maintenance just creates more trouble.

Kathy Streib - I hate a put a gutter commercial in your head, but you nailed it! Pay 'em now or pay 'em later. It's routine maintenance, and necessary!

May 28, 2024 06:41 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Endre Barath, Jr. - as long as you get another volunteer to hold the ladder. We don't bounce as well as we used to Endre.

May 29, 2024 07:49 AM