RAIN GUTTER MAINTENANCE
- dovetailrain
- May 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 14
RAIN GUTTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS
## Essential Rain Gutter Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home
Maintaining rain gutters is the most important thing you can do to prevent water from damaging your house. If you are not equipped or comfortable on a ladder call Dovetail Rain Gutter located in Bozeman / Belgrade, MT.
The rain gutter is designed to collect water from the roof and direct it to the ground via the downspouts. Don't be mistaken! Rain gutter systems are crucial for maintaining your home's integrity. They protect against water damage to paint, siding, landscaping, and sidewalks, and help keep your foundation and basement or crawl space dry.
For rain gutters to function effectively, they need to be kept clear of debris and regularly maintained.
Fortunately, most typical gutter issues are simple to resolve, and addressing them is worthwhile. “Raingutters are among those components where regular upkeep and yearly inspections of the gutter system can prevent future issues,” says Scott from Dovetail Rain Gutter in Bozeman, MT.
Here are the rain gutter problems that the pros see most often, and the recommended solutions
Clogged or overflowing rain gutter
This is the most frequent issue encountered. If not addressed, gutters and downspouts become so blocked with leaf debris that they become ineffective. The additional weight from leaves, twigs, and stagnant water can cause them to sag and detach from the fascia. When clogged and unable to drain, freezing water can expand and push open the sealed joints at the corners and end caps.
Clean them at least annually, and more frequently—twice a year or more—if you have many trees nearby. Pine trees continuously shed needles and cones, while spring-flowering trees like Cottonwoods often block the gutters in both spring and fall.
The ideal time to clean the gutter is when it is dry; otherwise, it becomes a messy and wet task, especially if there is stagnant water present! You'll need a ladder that extends a foot or two above the gutter so you can stand safely and reach into the rain gutter. Once you've removed the debris, flush or blow out the downspouts to ensure they are functioning properly. Sometimes, you may need to take apart the downspout to remove blockages.
If you prefer, you can hire someone to do the job for you. The cost of hiring a professional to clean your gutters will depend on the size of your house, the height and steepness of the roof, and the severity of the clogging. Generally, you should expect to pay between $250.00 and $350.00 for an insured, registered rain gutter contractor to clean and inspect your gutters.
An alternative solution for persistently blocked gutters is to equip them with gutter covers or leaf guards (https://www.dovetailraingutter.com/products).
Remember that leaf guards might require occasional cleaning.
Sagging or loose rain gutters and downspouts
This issue typically arises with the hangers, which are the hardware used to attach the gutters to the fascia. The weight of snow and ice might have loosened the gutters, the fasteners could have pulled out of the wood, or they might be spaced too far apart to adequately support the weight of full gutters. Installing additional hangers or snow stops on the roof may be necessary.
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