The gutters are roof accessories that are essential for the health of the entire roofing system – without properly sized and operational gutters, the water resulting from rain or from melted snow cannot be safely directed away from the building and can cause extensive water damage not only to the roof, but to the building walls and the foundation as well. Fortunately, preserving your gutters in good condition is easy – here is how to clean and maintain them:

• Inspections and cleaning – it is recommended to check your gutters whenever you clean the roof as well as after major storms that come with high winds. All you will need for the job is a stable ladder, a bucket and a scraping tool – just climb up to the gutter pipes and scrape off any debris from the inside, then do the same with the downspouts as well (you might need to remove the downspouts to be able to check them properly);
• Check for repair needs – when the gutter pipes and the downspouts are clean, inspect them to see whether they need any repairs. Look for loose fasteners, cracks and holes in the pipes as well as for sagging gutter sections, then fix the faults through repairs or by replacing damaged pipes.  For most people hiring companies like Blue Ox Exteriors is the best way to keep your home’s exterior in perfect condition.