"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"
Yes, it is generally considered safe to use a leaf blower to clear debris from gutters as long as you are wearing safety goggles and gloves. It's also necessary to have a gutter extension tool. In cases of severe clogs, it's necessary to manually clear debris that cannot be removed by the pressure of the leaf blower. Homeowners should be aware that the incredible power and speed of the output of a leaf blower can blow debris into downspouts. When this happens, water won't be able to flow through the gutters properly. For this reason, many homeowners hire professional gutter cleaners.
Yes, gutters can still get clogged even with gutter guards installed. While guards significantly reduce the amount of debris that enters your gutters, they are not 100% effective.
Small debris such as pine needles, seedlings, algae, small leaves, and pebbles can pass through the guard's screen or mesh and accumulate over time. Clogs can also form if the guards themselves are not cleaned and become overwhelmed with debris on top, preventing water from entering the gutter.
If this buildup is neglected, it can lead to clogs, water leaks, mold growth, and even plants sprouting from the gutters. The primary benefit of gutter guards is not the complete elimination of maintenance, but a dramatic reduction in how often you need to perform it, often from several times a year to just once a year or less.
If not properly maintained, an underground downspout may damage your home's foundation. A clogged downspout can back up, causing water to pool around the base of your home and seep into the foundation. Regular inspections and maintenance keep your downspout in good working order, preventing damage and protecting your home.
Water overflow, foundation damage, and mold growth are risks.
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.
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.
