Now that spring is right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all the home maintenance tasks you’ll need to take care of in the coming weeks. The fall and winter might have taken a toll on your gutters — and given how prone the spring and summer are to rain storms, it might be high time to start cleaning, repairing, or replacing this system to ensure it works properly. While rain gutters have real staying power (they were invented in the early 20th century, after all), that doesn’t mean they can go for months without maintenance. Here’s what you should pay attention to when determining whether it’s time to perform these pivotal home improvement tasks.

When Should I Perform Residential Gutter Cleaning?

Although the answer to this question might depend a bit on how many trees are on your property, most experts agree that you should clean your gutters at least once or twice a year. Typically, you should do so in the fall and in the spring, as this will likely cover most of your bases. By performing this cleaning during these seasons, you’ll be able to avoid doing maintenance work in times of harsher weather and will be able to clear out most of the leaves and other debris that tend to gather in your gutters. You should keep an eye on your gutters to ensure they don’t overflow in the interim. Making an effort to trim back trees away from your home may help a bit.

When Should I Repair Gutters?

If you’ve typed in an internet search query that reads, “when should I repair gutters,” you certainly aren’t alone. There isn’t necessarily a perfect time of year to perform gutter repairs, but there are some telltale signs that your gutters may be good candidates for repairs (rather than replacement). Industry experts suggest that gutter repairs may be possible when there are only a few cracks or holes to attend to, if just one joint or seam is leaking, or if there’s minor damage limited to one or two sections. In addition, copper gutters with fairly minor damage may be worth repairing, rather than replacing, due to their increased costs.

When Should I Pursue Gutter Replacement?

Some experts will say that the best time of year to replace a gutter system is in the summer, as this season will provide better weather (and fewer delays). But you should certainly prioritize gutter replacement if there are several small repairs throughout the system, if the sections fail to stay together, if there’s noticeable sagging, or there’s visible water damage. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to schedule service if you know your home’s gutters haven’t been replaced in at least 15 years. Different types of gutter systems can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, but a professional service check can allow you to catch small problems before they spiral out of control.

If you’ve conducted an internet search asking, “when should I repair gutters,” you already know you can’t afford to ignore this important system. Ignoring the need for cleaning, repairs, or replacement could cause you to end up with even greater concerns down the line. To find out more about gutter cleaning, repairs, and installation, please contact us today.