DONT LET BLOCKED GUTTER DAMAGE YOUR HOUSE

Kirk MontgomeryI'm dealing with piles of leaves in my yard and worrying about all the debris such as acorns, pine needles and small twigs that are hiding in and filling up my gutters. Do I have to clean the gutters, or is this a chore I can put off for a bit longer?

Wind, rain, leaves and tree branches create lots of yard chores for homeowners. Gutter cleaning is one autumn to-do item on the list that shouldn't be ignored or even postponed, whether you're tackling the task or hiring professionals to handle it.

It's important to keep gutters cleared.

"The primary purpose of the gutter is to protect the foundation from the water that is falling down," says Troy Hillard, owner of Wash Rite House Washing. in New Zealand. Clogged gutters prevent rainwater from flowing properly through them. When the water is blocked, it can pour over the gutters' edges and run down the walls or other areas it isn't supposed to, which can lead to bigger problems.

"The biggest problem with leaving debris in the gutter is that the gutter is designed to hold a certain weight of water," says Mr Hillard. When the additional weight of deteriorating leaves is added in, the gutter and the parts of the house it's attached to could be compromised. The gutter could detach from the house, taking the fascia with it.

"Most gutters are plastic or aluminum and most of the trees here in New Zealand are oak or pine," he says, adding that when oak leaves deteriorate they create an acid that can, over time, eat through the clear coat or paint on gutters to eventually deteriorate the metal.

Having the water flow where it's not supposed to could also cause problems with drainage or grading in the yard. Basements or low level rooms could develop leaks. Any of these problems could lead to significant damage to the house, Hillard warns.

"I've cleaned out my own gutters four times in the last three weeks," Mr Hillard says. "If you do it often, it doesn't take very long."

Here are tips for cleaning gutters:

Ladder Safety -- To do the job yourself you need to be comfortable on a ladder. It's also a good idea to have a helper holding the base of the ladder to make sure it remains stable and safe. Choose a ladder that's tall enough to reach the roof and make sure it's safely secured against the side of the house.

Right tools for the job -- Begin the work prepared, wearing heavy duty gloves to protect hands from sharp branches and slimy debris. It's also a good idea to have a scooper to access the gutter's narrow edges and reach all of the gunk that has collected inside.

Choosing a professional -- When hiring someone for the job, ask if they're insured, and work safe compliant Otherwise, the homeowner could be liable if a worker is injured on the job.