If the only thing that ever passed through your gutters and drains was water, there wouldn’t be a great need for unclogging. However, your drains and gutters also deal with leaves, sticks, dirt, debris, and much more. With this in mind, it’s important to know how to safely unclog these areas of your home to keep your property safe from water damage.
Why You Need Unclogged Gutters and Drains
Having unclogged drains and gutters is an important part of keeping your home safe. Something as simple as a buildup of leaves in your gutters has the potential to cause roof damage, which creates a number of potential problems for your home, including biological growth, weakened structural integrity, and more.
The drains outside your home have a direct impact on those inside the home. When leaves, sticks, trash, and other debris clog those drains, it won’t take long for you to notice water backing up in your sinks, showers, tubs, and even toilets.
Can You Perform Your Own Drain and Gutter Cleaning?
There’s a huge difference between cleaning your gutters and cleaning your drains. Ultimately, it’s never a good idea for you to clean out your own gutters. The only way that you’re going to be able to reach your gutters is to either work from a ladder or climb on your roof. Gutter cleaning from the roof is especially dangerous since it requires you to get so close to the edge.
Cleaning your outdoor drains is a bit different. For instance, if you notice a large pile of twigs and leaves gathered near the grate that covers an outdoor drain, you can certainly rake them away. However, if a clog forms deeper in one of your outdoor drains, it’s not a good idea for you to go in after it.
Depending on the location of the clog, the issue can sometimes be solved by clearing clogs from inside your home. A professional plumber will help determine exactly where the clog is located and how to get to it without damaging any other parts of your home.
How to Prevent Clogs
While there are some products that you can place over your gutters to reduce the amount of debris in them, there’s little that you can do to totally prevent clogged gutters.
Keeping your outdoor drains clear requires being a bit more proactive. Regularly take a look at your outdoor drains to make sure that debris isn’t blocking it. Once a clog forms, it’s best to call in the professionals.
Trust Us With Your Drains and Gutters
Ultimately, trying to perform your own drain and gutter cleaning is rarely the right choice. Instead, call Carlson Plumbing to schedule drain cleaning for your home in Fountain Valley, CA.
