"it was a great experience working with Deer Mountain Gutter-they called in advance to when they were coming and showed up and did a superb job. I would recommend them and their work for anyone considering replacing are needing new gutters Ken VZ"
At least twice a year, or more if surrounded by trees.
If you want to avoid burying your downspouts, several alternatives can help direct water away from your home's foundation. One option is to connect a rain barrel to your downspout. During a storm, the barrel collects water that you can later use for irrigating your lawn or garden. Another common solution is to install an above-ground downspout extension. This can be done in a couple of ways:
Splash Guards: Placing a splash guard, available at most hardware stores, under your downspout can act as a simple funnel to direct water away from the house.
Downspout Extensions: You can add an extension to the end of the downspout's elbow to carry water further into your yard. Some extensions are flexible, allowing you to maneuver them around landscaping.
These above-ground solutions are particularly useful if your home has a slab foundation that you cannot dig up. However, they have limitations. An extension may not move water as far from your home as an underground system. More importantly, if your yard slopes back toward your house, these methods will be ineffective, and burying your downspouts remains the best option to prevent potential flooding and water damage.
It’s best to schedule regular gutter cleanings before there’s a major issue, but sometimes life gets in the way. Luckily, a few telltale signs will let you know when to clean your gutters ASAP:
You notice built-up debris in your gutters.
Your gutters overflow with water when it rains.
Water doesn’t readily flow from your downspouts.
Your gutters are damaged or visibly leaking.
You notice evidence of leaking along your roof, siding, yard, or pavement.
Your gutters have pulled away from your roofing or exterior walls.
You see water damage on your soffits or fascia.
You have weeds growing in your gutters.
You start to see ants or other insects around your gutters or in your home.
You suddenly have issues with leaks in your crawl space or basement.
Absolutely—and lots of it. Overflowing water from your gutters can damage your siding and your roof. All of the moisture getting into the cracks and crevices of your home can lead to mold or mildew problems down the line. In addition, when water pools around your home, it needs a place to go—and sometimes it ends up inside the house, creating a very unwanted flood.
While both underground and above-ground downspout extensions are a step up from no downspout extensions, underground downspouts are better for those looking for a more discreet option. Underground downspouts are hidden away—out of sight, out of mind. You won't be bumping into the extended sections with your lawn mower, nor will you see the downspouts sticking out like a sore thumb.
The Saint Francis, SD homeowners’ guide to gutter cleaning services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
This guide to gutter cleaning costs provides estimates for cleaning different types of gutters, tips for saving money on gutter cleaning, and answers to how to clean gutters.
This guide on how to clean the outside of gutters offers tips for how to remove debris, grime, black spots, and streaks from gutters to get them to last as long as possible.
