A Home Improvement Project That Can Save the Roof While many homeowners enjoy performing do-it-yourself projects around the house on the weekends, most of them choose to add paint to the interior or exterior of the home. Others elect to install new bathroom fixtures, change the flooring in the home, or simply work on the landscaping. However, there is a significant home improvement project that any homeowner can perform that can save the roof.
Independent of where the homeowner resides in the country, nearly every house has the same issues regarding the roof. When the gutter system becomes overflowed, or plugged up due to a clogged drain, it can cause significant damage to the roof. This is often a result of a buildup of leaves, branches, twigs and debris that gets lodged either in the gutter, or the downspout.
Significant damage can be caused to the roofing system when the gutter remains clogged with debris and leaves. It is quite easy for the water to get up underneath shingles or tile and cause damage along the fascia boards and the plywood residing just beneath the tile or shingles. The only way to ensure that the roof will remain in proper condition is to keep the gutter system operating as it is design.
Cleaning out the Downspout
Cleaning out the downspout is an easy process that requires the homeowner to work on both the top end and the bottom. By placing a ladder at the top of the downspout, remove all debris that is accessible. Do the same from the bottom, using some type of a hose, or hook to grab any of the clogged debris lodged deep into the downspout.
Next, take the garden hose in place it at the top, and turn on the water. This will help push the lodged debris down the downspout using a minimal amount of pressure. Work the hose up and down into the downspout until it is completely cleared. It may require a broom handle or other long instrument to dislodge some of the stuck debris. Be sure and use some type of a stick that has a large top, such as a broom upside down, to ensure that the pole itself does not get lodged if dropped in the downspout.
Cleaning out the Gutter
Nearly every time of the year, the gutter can easily become clogged from blowing leaves, debris and other objects. Move the ladder along the gutter and use your hand to pull out the debris and leaves. Follow that with the water hose, turned on almost full blast, to move any of the solids that have become stuck to the bottom of the gutter. Consider installing gutter guards that will naturally accept the water, but pushed the leaves over the top of the gutter instead of getting built up inside.
Keeping a gutter system operating is designed is the easiest home improvement project that is guaranteed to save the roof from issues along the fascia board. The process should be performed at least every spring and autumn, and anytime there is a clogged downspout.
