Fall is here and ready to flood your yard, roof, and gutters with beautifully colored leaves. No matter how pretty they are to look at though, leaves are a total pain to clean out of guttering systems. While it is important to clean your gutters before and after autumn, there are some things you can do to prevent a buildup throughout the season. The guide below will show you how to protect your gutters from fall leaves.
Invest In Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are the perfect solutions for frequently clogged guttering systems. They act as a shield of sorts for your gutters so water can get in but leaves stay out. After your pre-fall gutter cleaning, get a set of gutter guards installed on your gutters. These devices look like Tupperware lids for your guttering, but they have grates in them to ensure that rainwater will flow through. The leaves will go on top of the gutter guards and roll away if they are dry.
Trim Back Your Trees
It’s a good idea to trim your trees back at least once a year so they don’t get unsightly and overgrown. If there are any trees near your roof line, give them a little haircut before fall. You don’t necessarily have to do this for trees that maintain their leaves year-long, but it certainly cannot hurt. Just be careful with the tools and equipment you use to cut off the tree branches.
Upgrade To Seamless Gutters
If you have old guttering on your home, it may be time to upgrade to seamless gutters. The reason for this is because seamless gutters are less likely to build up piles of debris due to their efficient, flowing shape. These gutters will also help streamline the look of your home near the roofline, giving you more curb appeal to enjoy. A quick upgrade will be a wise investment for your entire home.
Keep An Eye On Your Guttering
Above all else, try to monitor your gutters throughout the fall season to see if they have any heavy leaf buildup. If you notice areas of congestion, put on some gloves and pull them out. This is a bit of an inconvenience, but it will keep your gutters working properly in fall. A little maintenance each month will prevent you from having major maintenance to do later on.