Chill Out & Use This Winter Gutter Maintenance Checklist

Chill Out & Use This Winter Gutter Maintenance Checklist

Have you been meaning to have your entire gutter system and downspouts cleaned or repaired but keep putting it off for "later"? When winter comes, it's crucial to do a little preparation work to protect your home and gutters prior to cold weather temperatures.

Even if the cold weather has already set in, it's never too late to amplify the protection of your home for cold, snowy and rainy seasons. In either case, gutter maintenance is an essential home maintenance task, but many homeowners neglect their gutters to their own detriment.

Fortunately, the team at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island can help. We offer a full array of gutter cleaning, gutter installation, gutter guards, ice dam removal, and gutter maintenance solutions designed to protect your gutters and home. 

While cleaning your gutters regularly may cost a little upfront, it's much less expensive than gutter repairs or having to spend thousands of dollars on home repairs resulting from water damage. 

Don't know where to get started? We've created a quick and easy gutter maintenance checklist to protect your home throughout the winter season and beyond.

Inspect Gutters Regularly

Annual winter gutter maintenance and inspections are ideal. However, you should always have your gutters inspected after major storms or when you notice any problems with the gutters, such as clogs or leaks. Best of all, you can give your gutters a quick visual inspection from the ground. 

Pay special attention to the presence of structural damage and make a note of problems with gutter performance, including gutter clogs. These inspection points can be key in preventing ice dams when temperatures drop and snow hits.

However, for more in-depth winter gutter maintenance inspections, don't hesitate to reach out to the team at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island.

Professionally Clean Gutters of Leaves, Debris, and Snow

Whether it's late fall, spring, or any other season, it's vital to clean your home's gutters to prevent expensive water damage. However, the freezing temperatures of winter and the formation of ice dams elevate the importance of having regular gutter cleanings. 

One of the top ways to prevent ice dams and protect your home is with regular gutter cleanings. Failure to regularly clean your gutters will lead to gutters clogged with leaves, pine needles, and other debris. 

But once the freezing temperatures of winter arrive, dirty gutters create the perfect environment for an ice dam to form. Once formed, these ice dams are continually fed as ice melts and refreezes, creating a systematic process that can cause serious damage to your gutters, roof, and home.

Although ice dams occur due to a variety of reasons, the first step in the process to prevent or stop ice dams is to have your gutters cleaned prior to or during the winter months. During a professional gutter cleaning, the team at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island will carefully remove any leaves or other debris that may have been collected in your gutters.

We will also ensure your downspouts and the whole system is clear to allow the water flow to move safely away from your home. As a simple winter gutter maintenance tip, having your gutters cleaned during or before winter months can save you thousands of dollars in repairs to your gutters, roof, and home.

Consider Installing Gutter Guards for Your Home's Gutters

When the freezing temperatures of winter arrives, professionally-installed guards can double as snow guards by preventing the snow from accumulating in the gutters. Gutter guards can help reduce the number of required cleanings by preventing acorns, twigs, leaves, and other debris from ever entering your gutter.

Att Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island, we utilize the state-of-the-art MicroGuard. Because the MicroGuard doesn't penetrate the shingles on your roof, it doesn't void your warranty. 

Each MicroGuard is engineered with an ultra-reliable precision-milled aluminum construction to bolster longevity and performance. In addition to reducing the number of cleanings and keeping downspouts clear, gutter guards can help prevent the formation of snow and ice on your roof.

Have Your Roof Professionally Washed

Moss, roof algae, and lichen can destroy your roof over time. These microorganisms will cause roof rot by creeping under the shingles and can even get into your home to cause even more damage. However, your best defense against these microorganisms is to have your roof professionally washed

In addition to protecting your roof, it can also assist with winter snow and ice dam removal. When you schedule professional roof washing, you can extend the life of your roof throughout the winter and beyond.

Schedule Any Necessary Gutter Repair

Having the necessary gutter repair is important for preventing water damage during any season — summer, spring, and fall. However, the stakes are elevated when temperatures drop because of the potential for snow and ice buildup.

Simply put, by having your gutter system professionally repaired you canl prevent clogged gutters, which can help reduce the likelihood of dangerous ice dams. In the end, you should have all repairs for your winter gutter system done by a professional for the best results.

Ensure Downspouts Are Properly Draining

Your downspouts are an integral component of your gutter system. Downspouts are the parts of the gutter where the water leaves the gutter system and travels down to the ground. 

As a result, you can give your downspouts a quick once-over prior to or during the winter to ensure water is moving away from your home exterior. In the event you notice a slow trickle or restricted water flow, it could be as simple as debris clogging your gutters. 

On the other hand, it could be that your gutters need repair. In either case, reaching out to the experienced professionals at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island should be your next step.

Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island to Protect Your Gutters

Your gutters are a vital part of your home. Even so, gutters are often overlooked until there is a problem. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent or reduce the likelihood of gutter problems. 

And the first step is to reach out to Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island for a gutter inspection and gutter cleaning. 

Contact us today for professional gutter cleaning and gutter maintenance services, and don’t forget - we can Powerwash your home, patio or deck and clean the roof and windows too!

Erika Cruz

Erika began her career at Ned Stevens in September 2009 after 4 years of managing investment portfolios for banks and credit unions. She graduated with her business degree in Management in May of 2016 while working Full-time at Ned Stevens. With 11 years of gutter expertise, as office manager she is in charge of the day to day operation and is fully dedicated to her staff and customers.