Autumn is just days away, quickly approaching. All things pumpkin spice flavored and scented have already hit stores everywhere, but it’ll officially be the first day of fall on Saturday, September 23. We’re fortunate to live in Virginia, a state named one of the best places for seeing fall foliage, according to Forbes. Nothing beats our gorgeous array of deep orange and bright yellow leaves, especially with the Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop.
Though fall brings a refreshing vibe with its cool air, the start of football season, and all things pumpkin flavored, there are some drawbacks to the season. Falling leaves can make for slick roads and walkways, and we have plenty of deciduous trees about to shed their leaves toward the end of fall.
These beautiful leaves make their way onto every surface of our homes, like the roof and gutter system. Leaves can cause many issues for gutter systems, so keeping them at bay during mid-late fall when they all start to fall from the trees is crucial to having your gutter system perform at its best. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your gutters for falling leaves so your gutter system can work optimally!
What Harm Can Leaves Cause a Gutter System?
Have you ever dealt with clogged gutters? If you have traditional half-round gutters, odds are they’ve had a clog at some point, especially if they aren’t cleaned often. Weather in Central Virginia can often be unpredictable, bringing rainstorms with high wind speeds in the fall, blowing leaves all over the place. These winds carry leaves up in the air, conveniently dropping them in half-round gutter systems, among other locations around our homes.
When mixed with precipitation, leaves are heavy, especially when there’s a pile of them. When a gutter accumulates enough leaves, a clog forms, impeding water flow and blocking it from reaching the downspouts. Clogs can lead to a whole slew of issues: overflowing gutters, sagging gutters, basement floods, and foundation damage, to name a few. Leaves can also put unnecessary excess weight on your gutter system, causing it to tear away from the home and ruining the entire gutter system.
How to Prepare Your Gutters for Falling Leaves
Luckily, there are some measures you can take to prepare your gutters for falling leaves. Implementing the tips below can help keep your gutter system protected and prevent falling leaves from ruining your gutters.
Clean Your Gutters Now to Prep
When was the last time you cleaned your gutters? If you can’t remember when or if you haven’t cleaned them, it’s time to get them ready for fall. Cleaning your gutters is crucial to keeping them in great shape and performing as they should. The risk of clogs is greatly reduced if you clean them often, preferably at least two times per year. Homeowners can clean their gutters, but it’s easier and safer if you hire a professional gutter cleaning service.
If you opt for cleaning your gutters, make sure you put safety first since the use of a ladder is required. You’ll need a few tools and some free time to get the job done, but once you clean your gutters, they’ll be ready for autumn and its damp weather and falling leaves. Click here to learn some gutter-cleaning tips and tricks to make cleaning your gutters easier.
Install a Gutter Guard
Another great way to prep for fallen leaves this autumn is to install a gutter guard. You could replace your entire gutter system or install gutter guards or covers over an existing gutter system. Gutter guards are available in a variety of materials and styles, but it’s recommended to install one that’s top quality, not a foam or brush style.
Some gutter guards are made of heavy-duty aluminum or stainless steel mesh and are designed to keep all debris out, including fallen leaves. Gutter guards will cover the inside of a half-round gutter system, ensuring only water enters the gutters while debris like leaves, pine needles, and insects, are blocked from entering the gutters.
Replace Your Gutter System
If your gutter system is old or has suffered damage from a severe storm, it’s best to replace the entire system before we get into autumn. Older gutter systems may not work optimally and can cause damage to your home as a result. How do you know when it’s time to replace a gutter system? If it’s not draining much water or water is flowing over the gutters, it’s time. Likewise, if you notice damage like gutters tearing away from the home or dents, it’s time. Generally speaking, a traditional gutter system has a lifespan of around 15-20 years.
There are plenty of options when it comes to selecting a gutter system to replace your current one. Be sure to choose one of high quality that can withstand the severe weather we get in Central Virginia. Homeowners need a quality gutter system that can withstand spring and summer rains and winter weather conditions like heavy snow and ice storms. Home Evolutions VA has the gutter solution homeowners in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Danville, and surrounding cities need.
Our high-quality seamless gutters offer superior performance and durability compared to other gutter systems. K-Guard/One Stop Home Improvement Shop’s seamless gutters are oversized to allow more water to move through the system rapidly. Likewise, our K-Guard Gutters are made from heavy-duty aluminum that will never corrode, get paint chips, or cause damage to other components of your home. We also install gutters in a way that never voids a roof’s warranty! Whichever gutter system you install, Home Evolutions VA offers premier gutter systems that others can’t.
We can install our Xtreme Mesh Gutter Guard System that will block leaves from entering the gutter system. Made of surgical-grade stainless steel mesh, debris will be blocked from entering the gutter system. Whether you need to replace your entire gutter system or you just want to install gutter guards, we’ve got you covered (literally!).
Home Evolutions VA can help with all your home improvement needs, whether you need help with an insurance claim or a quote for installing a new roof or gutter system. We’re here to help every step of the way throughout the entire process. Contact us today for a free consultation!
