Roof protects you and your family from the threats brought about by the changing weather conditions. It is therefore very important to keep your roof in great condition through proper maintenance and repair, if necessary. However, aside from your roof, you also have to maintain another element of your house – the gutter. Know how you can properly maintain your gutter from the trusted roofing supplier in the Philippines.
What is a Rain Gutter?
A gutter is a metal material installed horizontally along the edges of your roof. Just like your roof, your gutter keeps rainwater from entering your home. It works by collecting rainwater through its open top. It leads to a pipe, called a downspout, that directs rainwater to the ground or your home’s foundation. Without it, water may collect on various parts of your home, trapping moisture which can cause various problems later on. Therefore, you must take care of your gutter system the way you would take care of other parts of your home, especially now that the rainy season is just around the corner. How will you do it? Read on.
How to Maintain Your Rain Gutter?
It is recommended to inspect your gutter at least once a year. You may do this before the rainy season to ensure that no debris or dirt has accumulated in your gutter system. Especially if tree branches overhang your roof, small branches or leaves may be blocking your gutter system, which would allow rainwater to accumulate. If you see debris, dirt, or algae in your gutter system, then it is time to clean them. Before cleaning your gutter, take note of the following tips to make cleaning safe and effective.
Rain Gutter Cleaning Safety Tips
Here are some rain gutter cleaning maintenance tips from one of the best roofing company in the Philippines:
Ensure safety when using ladders
Use a sturdy ladder when going up to your gutter. Preferably has a small shelf strong enough to hold a five-gallon bucket to collect gutter debris. Check the ladder for any defects or loose parts before using it. For added security, you may ask someone to hold the ladder for you to make sure that it won’t wobble or lose its balance.
Scoop out dirt using a plastic scoop
Remove debris using a scoop or hand shovel made of plastic. Using a metal scoop may cause damage as it can scratch the bottom of the gutter, causing rust that may weaken your gutter.
Use gloves when using your hands to clean
Sometimes, it is easier to remove the debris from your gutter using your hands. However, the debris may contain bacteria-ridden droppings of birds or other animals, which may make you sick. Therefore, use gloves when cleaning. Thick gloves are recommended as they can also protect your skin from cuts, which is possible if your roof or gutter is torn.
Use eye protection
Aside from your hands, you also have to protect your eyes. You have no clue what insect or animals may be lurking in your gutter that may attack you the moment you reach the top of your home. You may use goggles, safety glasses, or face shields to avoid eye injury.
Wear proper footwear
In case you need to walk on your roof to clean your gutter more effectively, make sure that you’re using the right footwear. Your roof may be slippery, so we recommend wearing rubber shoes to avoid slipping and falling. This will also protect your feet in case the roof is too hot because of the sun.
Watch out for power cables
Before going up your gutter, familiarize yourself with the position of power cables. The last thing you want to happen is to touch a live wire. Avoid cleaning your gutter when raining as electrocutions are more likely to happen.
Use a Garden Hose
Cleaning your gutter using a garden hose will make the job a lot easier. We recommend one with a spray nozzle and a pistol grip trigger so you can easily adjust the pressure of the water using one hand. Never use a power washer as its strong water pressure may strip off the protective layer of your gutter, which can make your gutter prone to corrosion.
Clean the downspout too
With a garden hose, run water down the downspout. If you notice water backing up, the downspout may be blocked by debris. You can unclog it by tapping its side or applying more water pressure. If this doesn’t work, you have to remove your downspout to clean its insides.
If you’re not comfortable in cleaning your own gutter, you can always ask professionals for help. They can also assess if your gutter already needs replacement, and if that’s the case, Union Galvasteel Corporation has options for you. You can go with our classic Box Gutter or our stylish Spanish Gutter, which has a duct that effectively collects rainwater from the roof and diverts it away from your home and into the drain. The designs of our bended accessories are customizable, so you can have something that can fit your style. They also come prepainted in different colors – Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Orange, White and Brown. We can also produce stainless variants upon request.
For your other roofing needs, look no further than Union Galvasteel Corporation, a roofing supplier in the Philippines that manufactures and distributes pre-painted and other galvanized roofing. We have the largest and most diversified distribution network in the industry, so you can easily find our products. We have warehouses and sales offices in strategic locations throughout the country. Get in touch with us via our website or call these numbers for assistance: (02) 8520-8822-23; 8520-8831; (049) 545-0084 to 86 or 09175033965 (Globe) and 09190032303 (Smart).
