The best way to avoid gutter clogs is to do regular gutter maintenance . It is advisable to do a professional canal cleaning at least once a year. Prevention is the best remedy to avoid obstructions, with proper cleaning, it is highly unlikely that gutter and downspout clogs will occur.
 
However, most blockages are usually caused by:

• Leaf build-up - Fallen leaves from trees are one of the main causes of jams. Especially in autumn, when the trees lose their leaves. We can find large accumulations of litter, branches, and other accumulated dirt, which when it rains is dragged into the downspouts and can cause sediment accumulation and hence cause the obstruction of our rainwater withdrawal system. The same happens with pollen, so it is advisable to clean gutters after spring in those areas where the presence of pollen is very high.
• Bird nests: More than once we have found bird nests created inside the gutters, they seem the ideal place for certain types of birds to nest. The nests prevent the gutter from withdrawing the water to its maximum capacity, causing overflows in most cases.
• Accumulation of other waste: it is common to find plastic debris clogging gutters in houses in the city. Plastic can be very harmful to our drainage system, since being non-porous, it does not allow the passage of water and can cause overflows that cause damage to the facade of the building.

Once the traffic jam is identified, the first thing you should do is go to experts in rain gutters so that they can proceed to solve the problem safely, quickly and professionally.
 
The first thing is to locate the exact point where the obstruction has occurred. If the jam is in the gutter, it will be easier to clear it. However, if the clog has occurred in the downspout, it may be necessary to disassemble the affected part in order to effectively remove the accumulated dirt.
 
The most common is to use pressurized water to dissolve the accumulation of residues, this accompanied by a previous manual removal of waste, should be enough. However, when the clog is in the downspout, it is more complicated, so we recommend that you never try to unclog it yourself. We have adequate professional tools to do these jobs, ensuring the good condition of your drainage system. Malpractice could lead to loosening the joints and fixings of the gutter and downspout, leaving the gutter system in your home unusable.

The use of accessories that help us prevent clogging in the channels are becoming more popular. One of the most used elements are the gutter covers. It is a protective net, which acts as a strainer, allowing rainwater to filter, and preventing waste from entering the gutter and downspouts.
 
They can be made of plastic or metal, they are also flat or curved outwards. The best thing is to be advised by our professionals, since it is convenient to install one type or another of gutter gratings depending on the material and the state of the same, on the resistance offered by the material and the slope.
 
Gutter grating may seem easy, however gutter installation experts should be consulted for proper installation. It is necessary to anchor it well to the structure of the gutter, to prevent external agents such as a strong force or the action of the birds from lifting them, rendering them useless.
 
With these accessories and a professional gutter cleaning periodically, you are assured the proper functioning of your water removal system all year round.

As we have already mentioned, the best way to carry out proper maintenance is to clean the gutters regularly, at least once a year. Although the frequency may vary depending on the geographical area in which we are. For example, an area with high rainfall will not need the same maintenance as a dry area. The same criteria apply to a home that is located in a wooded area, surrounded by vegetation than another that is not.
 
For all these reasons, it is advisable to clean the gutter in late fall. Although in areas with a large amount of pollen, it is recommended to do two cleanings, one after spring to remove the accumulation of pollen and another at the end of the fall, to remove the accumulation of litter from the gutters.
 
The cleaning process consists of two parts.

• Manual removal of dirt: The first step is to access the channels, always respecting the relevant safety measures when carrying out work at height, and begin to manually remove all the residues accumulated in the channel, leaves, dust, pollen, animal feathers, among other waste.
• Use of pressurized water: Once we have cleaned surface dirt, we proceed to do a thorough cleaning thanks to the use of a pressurized water hose. The pressurized water allows us to remove the embedded dirt and drag the last remains of sediment that may remain. When using water, we will easily check the good or bad operation of the drainage system. We will be able to clearly see if the water flows correctly through the gutter and downspout, or if, on the contrary, there is an obstruction.



The regular cleaning of the gutters allows us to detect major problems in our rainwater withdrawal system in time. We can see if there are leaks or water leaks in any section of the gutter. In this way we could repair it on the spot, avoiding having to change the entire gutter in the future, thus saving us a lot of money.

Gutters play a fundamental role in all buildings and homes. They are the main system for collecting and conducting rainwater. Its main purpose is to direct the water away from the foundation of the building. Since a continuous leak in the foundations of any building would imply a weakening of the structure, which can lead to fatal consequences, for the construction and the safety and well-being of its inhabitants.
 
If we neglect maintenance, we can incur large expenses in rain gutter repairs or even having to change the entire gutter. However, a professional cleaning and a periodic review guarantee us optimal operation.
 
Otherwise, it can cause water leaks, bursting of the fixings and joints that join the different parts that make up a gutter, water overflows, etc. This translates into the appearance of leaks and humidity inside and outside the house, the appearance of mold, peeling of the paint, the appearance of stains on the facade, etc.
 
To prevent and avoid all these conditions in your home, get in touch with a gutter specialist company. The only guarantee of professional work and a long-lasting and resistant drainage system.

Other articles that may interest you: 

• What are the Gutters for:  https://www.canalonesvalladolid.com/
• Repair of Leaks and Moisture. More information .
• All about Grilles Covers Gutter. Read the full article here .
• How much does Gutter Maintenance cost ?

12/7/2020