How to Conduct a Gutter Inspection Like a Professional

Gutters direct runoff toward the drains, protecting your home’s foundation, siding, roofing and other components from water damage. Gutters also prevent rainwater from accumulating in your yard, path and driveway. As such, you should keep your gutters in great condition. In general, it’s a good idea to check your gutters at least twice a year to make sure they’re clean and able to do what they’re supposed to do. Here’s how to inspect your gutters like a pro.

What You Need to Know About Gutter Inspections

The goal of conducting a visual inspection of your gutters is to check if they are still in good shape. From there, you can leave the job of addressing the problems you might find to a local contractor. In other words, you shouldn’t perform repairs on your own. All you need are some household tools as well as your phone to document the inspection.

• Check the gutters from the ground. From that vantage point, you can detect water stains, missing parts or any signs of unevenness on your gutters. Keep an eye out for leaks along the joints, especially if your gutters are the segmented type.

• Take note of standing water. Your gutters shouldn’t have standing water during clear weather. Otherwise, it’s an indication that they are not draining runoff properly. You can use an inspection mirror with a long handle to determine if there is indeed standing water. 

• Look out for signs of corrosion. You know your sheet metal gutters have corroded if the outer coating has worn off. If you’re having your gutters replaced, make sure to pick corrosion-resistant options like aluminum or copper.

Call the Professionals

Once you’re done with the visual inspection, you can call your gutter contractor to schedule an appointment. If there are no significant issues that need to be addressed but the gutters have accumulated dead leaves and debris, have them cleaned by a professional. Yearly gutter maintenance is crucial to getting the most out of your gutter system and keeping your home’s exterior dry and damage-free.

Kroll Construction has got you covered for all your home-improvement needs, including roof replacement and gutter inspections and repairs. Call (888) 338-6340, or fill out our convenient online contact form. We serve customers in Michigan, including Detroit and the neighboring communities.