While summer means better weather and more enjoyable temperatures, it also means it’s time to start paying attention to your home exterior. If you’re like most homeowners, you stay up-to-date on roof maintenance with your Denver roofing company. But how often do you pay attention to your gutters? Believe it or not, Colorado gets about 15.5 inches of rain each year with much of that precipitation falling during the spring, summer, and fall. And all that moisture can do serious damage to your roof if your gutters aren’t in good shape. Use this simple checklist to help.

Make Sure They’re Mounted Right
The first thing you’ll want to do is walk around the exterior of your house and look up at the gutters. When they’re in good shape, they’ll sit against the side of your house just under the roof line. This allows runoff to head straight into the gutters instead of running down the side of your home. If you see any gaps or notice that the gutters are pulling away from the house, call your contractor. 

Check for Rust
Even coated gutters can rust when the protective paint gets chipped. Look for rust around the joints, mounts, and along the gutters themselves. If you see any, schedule a professional inspection. There could be weak spots and minor leaks that put your home at risk for serious water damage. Remember, rust eats through metal, slowly creating holes throughout the system. The sooner you get the problem taken care of, the longer your gutters will last. 

Look for Signs of Inadequate Drainage
In most instances, the gutters send runoff to a designated drainage area. This helps protect your home’s siding, the roof, and your foundation. A day or two after a rainstorm, check for signs of inadequate drainage. These include puddles around the edge of the house, overwatered patches of landscaping, and bubbling or warping of your home’s siding. If you notice anything that looks out of the ordinary, contact your contractor immediately. Remember, if the damage is severe enough to be visible, you’ll want to get your roof and siding inspected before you have the gutters repaired.

Watch for Clogs
If you’re comfortable getting up on a ladder, you can check the gutters for clogs on your own. Check the channel for debris. It’s normal to see a few stray leaves and granules from your asphalt shingles. But if you see anything blocking the downspout or notice signs of rodents nesting in the system, schedule a professional inspection. Existing clogs may have caused damage that a pro can spot easily. The sooner you address these problems, the better off your home will be.

Caring for your gutters doesn’t have to be a challenge. Make it a part of your regular home maintenance routine and they’ll last for many years without any issues. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned and inspected your home’s gutters, schedule a professional inspection as soon as possible. Our experienced team will make sure your gutters are in good shape and will take care of any repairs quickly.