It's time to think about gutters.
The lives of home owners in Oregon are often filled with work, errands, and trying to sneak of to the river to catch the last days of sun. All too often, we forget to clean our gutters.
It's not fall yet, but now is a good time to make a plan to clean them, or find a trusted service to do them for you. A well drained gutter will help protect your home's future.
It is a good idea to take a minute and walk around your house and take a look at the gutters to see if they have any visible issues before the rain sets in.
Walk around your house and follow the gutters with your eyes. If you have a second story, take a pair of binoculars. Are the gutters attached properly? Do you see any signs mildew or staining on the metal?
Check any corners or ends of your gutters for signs that water has leaked or overflowed. Look at the downspouts, and any elbows that direct the water to check for leaks or loose connections.
Look at where your downspouts drain. You want the water to be pushed away from the house and foundation. If your downspout is draining right next to your house, it will effect your house's foundation over time.
See if you have discolored spots or mold/mildew under your houses eaves or along your siding. Is there a stain on the gutter above?
Take a look around the bottom of your house, around the foundation. Look at the ground directly under your gutters. Do you see any place that water has eroded the soil? Any mossy areas near the foundation? What we are looking for is places that water would overflow from the gutter and accumulate directly into the ground.
