Consumer Confidential: Cleaning Your Gutters

Get that done before winter's cold takes over to avoid serious water problems in your home

Be careful with that ladder: in 2009, unintentional falls in the U.S. claimed more than 20,000 lives

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Its a fall chore no one likes to do, but if you dont clean your gutters regularly, you could be asking for trouble. Its definitely an area you shouldnt ignore.

Chris Andrus of Amarillos Andrus Brothers Roofing says its extremely important to keep them clean. When they dont drain, he says, you can have rot damage to the wood typically behind the gutters. Thats the most common damage that we see.

And this time of the year, you have to guard against ice damming. Andrus says, The gutters tend to hold the snow right there at the edge of the roof, and if you dont sweep it off and get it cleaned, it will back up underneath the back of the house.

Thats all great to keep in mind because your gutters are the first line of defense against water problems in your home.

If you cant or dont want to clean your gutters, call on a professional to do the work. They should remove all leaves and other debris from your roof, gutters, and downspouts. They should also check the overall condition of your gutters and make any necessary repairs.

How much might you be charged for a cleaning? Andrus gave me this estimate. Usually it runs under just a minimum fee, and it kind of depends on how much debris is in the gutters, too, but onyour normal house, youre gonna be somewhere between $150-250.

While leaf guards, covers, and screens can help reduce debris collecting in your gutter, you should still check them regularly. Experts say up to 20 percent of leaves and other material can get through a gutter cover.

And if you do it yourself, beware of some of the dangers. I wouldnt suggest getting on the roof, because youre gonna be leaning over working in the gutter, says Andrus. Its probably safer to work from a stepladder. We see more falls from people cleaning gutters really than anything else.

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Consumer Confidential: Cleaning Your Gutters