DIY Network

Gutters and Downspouts Spring home maintenance gutter and downspout tips From "Home Maintenance" episode DHMW-101

In this second segment host Tim Hockenberry shares tips on maintaining your home's gutters and downspouts.

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Figure A

Gutters and Downspouts

Materials:

Screwdriver
Garden gloves

• It is really important to make sure your gutters and downspouts remain bonded to your home. Every spring you need to check for loose downspouts and sagging gutters.

• Tighten any loose gutter straps and, if you've added spout extensions to help keep water away from the house, make sure to reconnect any that have come loose.

• It is critical that you keep gutters and downspouts clear and free flowing (figure A).

• You might consider adding a few helpful accessories for your gutters like screens to cover the spouts or gutter cap systems that go a long way to keep your gutters and downspouts free flowing.

Figure B

Re-grade Around Foundation

Materials:

Shovel
Rake

Note: If water pools against your foundation it's only a matter of time before it finds its way into the house.

• In order to create positive drainage, it is important to remove any mulch or debris from the surface before you move the soil (figure B). You can reuse the mulch on the new spot but it's important not to mix it with the soil. A mixture of soil, mulch and debris can actually make your drainage problems worse.

• A small area should only need a vertical drop of about half an inch per foot. Once you've moved enough of the soil tamp it down well to make sure it stays in place. Then you can add back the covering mulch.

Test Sump Pump

• Once you get the outside water under control, it means a sump pump. If the sump pump isn't working that means water is coming out of the pump. A sump pump captures ground water in a
  pit, or a sump, and pumps it out and away from the house.

• With a two plug system the float on the pump controls the front plug. The float has to be up for power to flow. The back plug is a direct feed to the pump. To test the pump, take the plugs apart, take the back plug, plug it in and watch the pump run, or with the plugs plugged in, lift the float to simulate a full pit. The pump should start pumping out water.

  Note: Whether you are cleaning the gutters or the second story windows, a good ladder is a must. A good ladder to consider is one that has a step ladder for the lower jobs; a scaffold for painting or repair jobs, and an extended ladder for getting up to clean those clogged gutters. A sturdy and safe ladder can make those hard to reach maintenance chores a cinch.

DIY Home Maintenance Seasonal Checklist "Take Care of Your House and It Will Take Care of You!"...and you can start by printing out DIY's PDF checklist file.

In the next segment Tim discusses your air conditioning system.

RESOURCES :

Gutter Accessories

Spout-Out is a filter that fits into downspout openings and prevents clogged downspouts.
Website: www.spoutout.net

The Gutter Scoop is a handy gutter cleaning tool. It's a scoop that's shaped to fit easily inside the gutter. It's quick, easy and keeps your hands clean. We apologize no resource information is available.