How to Clean Your Gutters This Fall

 Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

While you might love the sight of fall foliage outside, we’re not sure your gutters feel the same way! Gutters are designed to collect and hold rainwater, so it’s not surprising that debris can get caught in there too. But when this does happen, it’s a good idea to clear out leaves and debris so that your gutters can do their job of preventing water problems at home. To help you get started on this task, we've compiled the following list of quick tips to consider:

Wear protective gloves. Whether it’s twigs or pieces of metal, some objects in your gutters can be sharp. So, before getting your hands in there and clearing everything out, be sure to slip on your protective hand gloves to avoid any cuts or other injuries.

Use a sturdy ladder. Getting high up on a ladder can be dangerous if you're not safe. Rule of thumb is to choose a sturdy, four-legged, metal ladder. Your ladder should also have a place for you to hang your bucket so that you can collect debris without having to climb up and down too often. 

Put on protective glasses. Not only do you want to protect your hands from debris, but you also want to cover your eyes. When you’re trying to pull branches and other types of sharp debris out of your gutters, you want to do it safely. To prevent anything from coming into contact with your sensitive eyes, make sure you wear protective glasses!

Always have a helper. Cleaning out your gutters can be a tricky task, so you want to be extra safe. If you plan on physically doing the work yourself, make sure you have a partner by your side to spot you, hold the ladder, and be a second set of eyes if you need it.

At Phil’s Main Roofing, we understand the importance of keeping your gutters clear, which is why we're here if you need a helping hand! For over 65 years, our family owned company has proudly served Fairfield County and the surrounding areas with our expertise in residential and commercial roofing. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

How to Prepare Your Gutters for Fall

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

It’s only a matter of weeks before leaves start falling from your trees! With autumn approaching soon and potentially rainy weather on the way, it’s important to start preparing your home for the change in season. One of the ways you can get your home ready for fall is by checking your gutters. Here’s how:

Get rid of debris. Before getting down to the nitty-gritty, make sure you protect your hands by wearing gloves.Then, once you’re ready, inspect the condition of your gutters by looking for other forms of debris. If any are evident, go ahead and scoop it all out to avoid any long-term accumulation. You can toss it all into a bucket or even a garbage bag. 

Check the downspouts. After you’ve inspected your gutters, make sure you remember to look at your downspouts. If you have any clogging, it’s important to clear it out so that water can pass through when it rains. This is especially important because a buildup of water can also lead to possible sagging or mildew in your gutters.

Don’t forget about the spikes. The spikes that run across your gutters from the outer edge of your roof help to keep your gutters tightly in place. So, as you’re cleaning out debris, check the condition of each spike. If you notice that one is broken, it will either need to be replaced or refastened.

Address any leaks. Leaky gutters are another cause for concern that need some tending to. With that being said, look for any holes or cracks in the gutters, and mark these areas with a writing implement, such as a pencil or marker. Next, call your local roofing contractor to help repair the damaged areas.

As one of Connecticut's leading roofing contractors, we understand how vital it is to have a well-functioning gutter system working alongside your roof. That is why we also provide gutter and downspout services. For more information about how we can help your property this season, please visit www.philsmainroofing.com or call (203) 838-4545 today.

Tips For Cleaning Your Gutters In Spring

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

When you think of your roof, what comes to mind first? Shingles? Flashing? Ventilation? Though these are all vital components of a roofing system, there is one other that many often overlook - that's your gutters. While your gutters and your roof are technically two separate systems that contribute to the design of a home, they are highly connected in several ways. Let's look at one specific example:

Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Since your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof, when they are clogged the water has nowhere to go and therefore, it tends to back up on the roof itself. From there, it becomes much easier for water to seep through cracks, even when they are relatively minor.

Since clogged gutters can be a source of damage when it comes to your roof, we encourage you to dedicate some time this spring to cleaning them out! Here are a few simple tips to help you before you get started:

• Wear protective clothing like rubber gloves to keep yourself safe. Although there probably isn't too much lurking in your gutter system, there could be sharp debris that you certainly don't want interfering with your skin.
• Check that your ladder is on sturdy ground before beginning the trek up towards your roof. And even when you are completely confident that all is well, check again and have a buddy stand at the foot of the ladder in case of an emergency.
• Rather than dump all of your mess onto your lawn, bring a bucket or a bag up that can easily be reached up. This way, you can place all of the debris in one place and make the cleanup process easier.
• After you've cleared away all of the debris, go back down and grab your garden hose to give your gutters a final cleaning. This will help you ensure that you haven't missed any spots and will confirm that water can flow freely through your system.

As one of Connecticut's leading roofing contractors, we understand how essential it is to have a functioning gutter system working alongside your roof. Did you know that we also provide gutter and downspout services for this very reason? For more information about how we can help your property have a successful spring, please visit us on our website or give us call at (203) 838-4545 today.