Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Sandusky, MI

While gutter guards offer significant advantages, they also have some drawbacks—namely, they don't completely eliminate the need for cleaning, and certain objects (like mold or large debris) can still damage your roof. If they're installed improperly, they can void the roof warranty, and heavy guards could even damage your roof fascia or roof material itself. This is why it's vitally important to have a pro install your gutter guards.

When connecting a gutter to a downspout, make sure that both have the same outlet capacity. Meaning starting from your gutter and moving downwards, the diameter should match so you have a secure seal. Make sure you’re working downwards when attaching the pipes (for example, the gutter fits inside the downspout) as doing the reverse will cause leaks.

The trick to getting gleaming gutters can vary based on the material of your gutters. Aluminum gutters can often be restored to pristine condition by using a cloth to scrub them with a solution consisting of 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Vinyl gutters can be whitened using dish soap and water. For deeply stained vinyl gutters, adding bleach with water and dish soap may help to remove black streaks. Many retailers sell premixed gutter sprays. Applying cleaning solutions to dry gutters before rinsing can help cleaners attach to dirt and grime for easier removal.

If you’re not interested in digging up your yard, but you still need to direct water away from your house, another option is to extend your downspouts further out into the yard. Two methods to do this are:

• Adding a splashguard. This is the simplest method. You can purchase a splashguard at your local hardware store and place it under your downspout. This will act as a funnel to direct water away from your house.

• Add downspout extension at the end. You can also add an additional downspout to the end of the “elbow” as a way to extend the water further out into your yard. Some hardware stores sell downspouts with a flexible extension that you can maneuver around your yard.

The above alternatives are great options if your gutters are above a slab foundation that you wouldn’t want to dig up. One downside to these methods is if your yard slopes back upwards to your home, then the water won’t actually flow away. In which case, burying your downspouts if the best option to avoid flooding and water damage to your home.