How to Stop Roofing Materials from Clogging your Gutters
Homeowners with rooftop gardens or anyone who uses their gutters for rainwater harvesting know the importance of keeping them clear of leaves and other debris. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, roof rot, and even insect infestations. While there are many products on the market that claim to keep gutters clean, most of them require constant upkeep and can be expensive. Luckily, there are a few simple tips that can help you keep your gutters clean and functioning properly without breaking the bank.
This post will give you everything you need to know about how to stop roofing materials from clogging your gutters – and help you get the job done without breaking the bank.
1. Installing a Gutter Guard System
A lot of the time, an obstruction or blockage in the gutter comes down to the material used on your roof. This happens when leaves and lawn clippings pull up with the shingles and land in your gutters. That is why you need to use a gutter guard system such as Gutter-Drain.
Using a gutter guard system will help prevent the shingles from bouncing off your roof and landing in your gutters. Gutter-Drain protects your gutters from debris by using a perforated covering that allows water to flow through your gutters while keeping debris out.
A gutter guard system is one of the most effective ways you can keep foreign materials from finding their way into your gutters. The simple cost-effective solution will keep your gutters free of leaves, pine needles, and anything else that might be blowing around on your rooftop. Plus, installing a gutter guard system is an easy DIY project that anyone can do in just a few hours.
2. Clean Out Your Gutters After Big Storms and Heavy Winds
A lot of the time, a clog or blockage in the gutter is caused by materials that are just too heavy to pass over your gutters. Whether they are tree limbs, leaves, or bags of mulch and soil, these items are too heavy to be carried up the pipe on their own. This is why it is important that you clean out your gutters once every six months or so to keep them free of debris and prevent them from clogging up.
The old saying that “bad weather brings good news for roofers” is very true. After a storm, debris and debris-laden roofing materials can make their way into your gutters with the heavy rains. During these storms, you need to check your gutters to make sure that no dangerous materials have made their way into them. If you find any problems, it is not too late to clean out the problem and prevent any potential damage from happening.
3. Ensure your roofing tiles are properly fitted and sealed
Proper installation of tiles will stop water from leaking through the gaps or holes between the tiles forming a buildup of dirt which creates a good environment for pest and insect infestations. Any damaged or loose areas will allow water to find its way in, which can cause potential damage to your roofing materials and lead to leaks and clogs.
It’s not as simple as cutting the tiles to a certain size, you need to ensure that there are no gaps and that the sealant is applied properly. Professional roofers will use a sealant to stop leaks and ensure that the water goes out of your house and not in. additionally, this will function as a barrier, preventing the tiles from falling and finding their way to the gutters. A good roofer will also do regular maintenance on your roof, including the gutters, to ensure that you are clear of any blockages before they cause any damage.
4. Avoid Overhanging Vegetation
Trimming trees can be a time-consuming project for homeowners but it is important to keep your trees away from your home and gutters. Any overgrown branches can cause damage to your roof and foliage can easily make its way into the gutters, which will clog them up.
Your gutter system needs to be at least 10 meters away from any overhanging branches; otherwise, they can easily get lodged into the gutter and cause a blockage. This can be a costly mistake, as the problem can easily make its way down the pipe and into your drainage system.
5. Install a Rain Barrel
When the gutters are clear of all debris, having a rain barrel near it will help prevent any future buildup by letting excess water run off into it rather than getting lodged in your gutters.
This simple solution will not only help you stop water from getting stuck in your gutters but also keep them free of debris to prevent clogging. Just remember that a rain barrel must be of the right size and have a good seal to prevent leaks. If you have any problems with it, you should call your local professional roofer to check it out.
6. Maintain Your Roof in the First Place
Proper maintenance will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run. This is by far one of the most effective ways to stop roofing materials from clogging your gutters. If you can keep your roof free of debris, it will save you a lot of time and money that would otherwise be spent on costly repairs or replacements. The maintenance checklist includes:
- Clean roof gutters and chimney
- Replace cracked or missing shingles
- Repair loose flashing
- Caulk around attic penetrations
- Inspect and wash the roof decking
- Inspect and replace rotten wood
- Inspect and repair damaged or missing wood-based panels
- Repair damaged flashings
- Clear out leaves regularly
7. Use Cement Board on Your Roof
A cement board is an inexpensive and effective way to cover up gaps, damaged areas, and cracked tiles. It will stop water from getting through the gaps, ensuring that your roofing materials are not exposed to any damage. All you need to do is make sure that the ground below your gutter has good drainage (a gravel or stone surface).
A cement board is usually sold as a ready-made cut sheet, which can be attached directly to the gutters. Alternatively, you can get ready-made boards and have them attached by a pro installer.
8. Install an Automatic Gutter Cleaning Machine
If you have never had your gutters cleaned or have never done any professional maintenance, then you might be surprised by all of the costs involved in this project. A gutter cleaner is relatively simple and easy to install straight into your roof, but it will ensure that your gutters are clean and won’t get clogged.
This gutter cleaning machine can also be used to clean out the downspout, so you won’t need to have a separate machine for this. This system will help prevent any future issues with debris or debris-laden roofing materials getting lodged at the bottom of your gutters and therefore make sure that you have a clear flow of water.
Conclusion
A gutter is a very basic and essential part of your building’s overall drainage system. It may not seem like much but it can cause a great deal of trouble if it gets clogged. It’s important to keep your gutters free of debris and make sure that there are no leaks to prevent any potential damage from happening.
Using the listed tips will let you effectively clean out your gutters and extend their lifespan while preventing expensive repairs or replacements in the future.