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[theme music]
What your gutters look like doesn't really matter,
but it's how you maintain them that makes the difference.
JERIBAI TASCOE: Assuming you're working with unclean gutters
first thing you have to do is scoop out the mess.
Some water resistant gloves, a gutter
scoop, and a paint stir stick are
all you need to remove the mess and scrape
up any stuck on debris.
If you see any standing water the downspout may be clogged,
and we'll deal with that in a minute.
Once you've got the leaves out of your way,
check to make sure your gutters are working the way
they're actually supposed to.
This is a two person job, but it's easy.
Use a hose to fill the gutters with water.
Then have your helper check for any water coming out.
If there's none, then everything is draining correctly.
Now if you did uncover any issues here's what to do.
For any loose areas this may be as easy as tightening up,
replacing, or adding hardware.
For leaks, a fresh bead of exterior silicone caulk
can help keep water from getting behind the gutters.
That water could cause rot issues down the line.
You also can use this to plug any small holes
or leaks you find.
With everything repaired the next step is to give
the gutters a good rinse.
Don't forget to wash out the downspout too.
This will help remove any clogs.
Now that you're done cleaning out your gutters,
a great next step is to install some gutter guards.
Now this doesn't mean that you won't ever have
to clean your gutters again.
But it will make the job a lot less frequent and a lot easier.
Here are some options.
Inexpensive vinyl snap-in grates act like a filter.
The holes are big enough to let water through,
but small enough to keep debris out.
Another option are foam insert guards.
These work almost like you're putting
a sponge inside your gutters.
Water can go through, but debris cannot.
These are easy to install.
Just cut to size, and you're pretty much done.
JERIBAI TASCOE: Getting your gutters in order
and keeping them clean will mean more time
for you to do something fun.