Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Carpenter, SD

First, you’ll want to remove rust stains with a scouring pad. Next, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the galvanized gutters with hot water and mild dish soap—once dry, wipe down the gutters with turpentine (available for around $10). Finally, apply metal primer followed by a coat or two of high-quality exterior latex paint. You can also hire a painting company near you to tackle painting galvanized gutters.

While gutter guards offer protection for your gutter system, they aren't completely safe from clogs. Over time, small pieces of debris can get through gutter screens. This can eventually cause clogged gutters, gutter leaks, mold formation, and other problems that can compromise your roof, foundation, and other parts of your home. In fact, it's common to see plants growing from gutter screens when gutter guard cleaning has been neglected. Knowing how to clean gutter guards is important to protect your gutter system from damage or malfunction.

Failing to clean leaves out of gutters can lead to blockages, preventing proper water flow. This can cause gutters to overflow, leading to water pooling around your home’s foundation and increasing the risk of basement flooding or structural damage. Stagnant water in clogged gutters can attract pests like mosquitoes and rodents or cause the gutters to sag under the weight of debris. Regular cleaning ensures proper drainage and prevents these costly and inconvenient issues.

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.