Wash away gutter woes with regular cleaning

I frequently get calls from people who have flooded basements or crawl spaces where water seeps through their concrete walls.

On inspection, one of the things I usually find is clogged rain gutters with water spilling directly against the foundation of the home. Because concrete is very coarse, water easily soaks through the walls into the crawl space or basement of the home because of hydrostatic pressure.

I always look for discoloration on the lip of the gutter. If that lip is discolored, it is a sure indicator that the system is clogged and water is spilling over the side.

Let's face it, gutters are easy to ignore. But the price of neglecting this important home drainage system can be high — peeling paint, rotting fascia and siding and basements and crawl spaces that are always wet and moldy.

Simple cleaning and checking gutters twice a year (spring and falls) will save the health of your home. It also means that you are in for a dirty job.

In the spring, you have flowers and pollen falling off trees and in the fall you have dead leaves, pine needles, etc. clogging them. If you leave in a heavily wooded area, they may have to be cleaned more frequently.

To check your gutters, climb up on a safely secured ladder and look into the gutter. If they are full, put on a pair of rubber gloves and scoop out the bulk of the debris with your hands.

Get a water hose and wash out the remaining gunk. Check the down spout and make sure it is clear of buildup.

If it is clogged, go to the local hardware store and get a hose bladder.

Attach the hose bladder to the end of your hose and insert it into the down spout close to the blockage.

Fill the bladder with water. When you release it, it will emit a powerful blast of water, usually breaking the clog loose. If it doesn't, you may have to remove the down spout to clear it.

Sometimes I've had to use a drain snake to unclog them. Once the gutter is clean and free flowing, install gutter guards or hoods which will prevent debris from entering them.

Note: Buy the best gutter guards you can find. They will really pay off later by saving you labor time when cleaning them.

Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864; Attention: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the chief executive officer of Northwest Executive and Environmental Services, LLC.