umab86•9d ago

PSA: Check your gutters before the fall leaves really start coming down

I live in Portland and waited too long last month to clean my gutters. Three years ago I had a simple clog that caused water to back up behind my siding during a heavy rain. The damage cost me $1,200 to fix (drywall and insulation replacement). Last week I saw my neighbor's downspout pull away from the house because of the weight of wet leaves. Do you guys have a system for remembering to clear them out before October hits? I'm thinking about setting a phone reminder for mid-September every year.

2 comments

2 Comments

craig.reese9d ago

My buddy in Seattle uses a gutter guard with a mesh so fine you can barely see it, and he hasn't touched his gutters in three years... just hoses them off from the ground. It's not perfect for pine needles, but for normal leaves it stops the clogs before they start. Might save you that September scramble entirely.

barnes.jamie9d ago

Stop me if this sounds dumb, but how do you even hose them off from the ground without making a mess? I mean, are you just blasting water up there and hoping it goes somewhere useful? In my experience, those fine mesh guards can get clogged with roof grit or little debris that slips through too. And with three kids running around, I don't have time to troubleshoot a fussy guard system. I'd rather just climb up and scoop things out once a year than gamble on something that might need babying. Your buddy got lucky with his setup, but your mileage may vary big time depending on your roof angle and tree types.