Protect Your Home with a Fall Maintenance Checklist
Now is the best time to get ready with a Fall Rain Gutter Maintenance Checklist.

The seasons are about to change again, this time from summer to fall. We love fall here in the Spokane area... cooler weather, the autumn colors of the leaves. It's a beautiful time of year.
It's also a time of year to get prepared for the next season change... fall to winter. The downside of all that Spokane fall foliage is many of those beautiful leaves fall onto your roofs and into your rain gutters. When fall and winter rains come you could have a real mess... or even damage to your home! Your gutters help protect your house's siding, windows and foundation, and help prevent basement flooding.
Now is the best time to get ready with a Fall Rain Gutter Maintenance Checklist. It's easy and most of the list doesn't require you to climb a ladder. Just follow these simple steps.
Check for Breaks
If your contractor sealed your gutters, the first step is to walk around the house and look for any breaks in the gutter system that would allow leakage. Check for parts of the gutter system and support brackets that have torn loose from the house. Also look for gaps or breaks in the gutters and between the gutter and fascia. If your gutters are leaking, it's not the end of the world. Most leaks can be patched easily. If the damaged area is beyond repair, a piece of the gutter system can be replaced. Fortunately, if you have Seamless gutters you can avoid this problem altogether, making them much easier to maintain & clean!
Look for Holes and Rust
Over time, some older gutter systems may develop leaks for any number of reasons. Everything from simple rust to serious storm damage (like our Spokane windstorm last year) can cause holes that prevent your gutters from functioning properly. This could allow water access to the ground near your foundation, which can cause damage. If you're so inclined, run your hose for a couple minutes into the gutters. Check the entire perimeter of the house and look for water draining down from the gutters anywhere it shouldn't. Water always leaves a trail that can be followed! Periodically move the hose into new positions around the house in order to test the entire gutter system for leaks. Use a flashlight in dark areas, and be thorough. You'll quickly see any leaks as the water makes its way through the gutter.
Inspect the Downspouts
Check your downspouts for holes and rust. Also make sure the downspout is firmly attached to the gutter and wall, and that all support brackets are in good condition. Often overlooked is the bottom end of the downspout, so check that too. Over time the opening sometimes gets clogged with debris, or crushed from being stepped on.
Also clear away weeds, overgrown plants, rocks and other debris from the opening so water has a clear exit path away from your home. Water that pools near your home can damage the foundation.
Clear the Gutters
Using gloves, a trowel, a hose with a spray nozzle or a high-pressure hose if you have one, clean out as much leaves and debris as you can safely. Use caution on ladders – never lean to the side to increase your reach, and remember the hose can be heavy when full of water. While cleaning the gutters, look for leaks and other damage.
Keep your rain gutter system functioning with regular at-home maintenance. A healthy gutter system is essential to maintaining proper drainage around the home. The quicker you find and fix the problems, the smaller those problems will stay. If you'd like to learn more about our seamless rain gutter options available for your home, please let us know! Contact ustoday for information about how we can save you time and effort, and help protect your investment in your home.








