Don’t Forget to Clean Your Rain Gutters Before Winter Sets In

As winter approaches, many historic brick homeowners attend to the typical seasonal chores like raking leaves, mulching gardens, and getting the winter shovels ready for the first snowfall. However, a commonly overlooked task is cleaning the rain gutters. Ignoring your gutters, especially if you live in an area with deciduous trees, such as Washington, D.C., risks water and ice damage, particularly the destructive formation of ice dams.  Even if you don’t have trees on your property, nearby falling leaves and a bit of wind can quickly fill your gutters with debris. Hiring a professional for gutter cleaning can save you time and help prevent costly repairs.

What Are Ice Dams?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the eaves of the house. During the winter, warm attic air can heat the underside of the roof enough to melt the snow on top. The runoff should drain away, but if the gutter is full of leaves, the water will pool and refreeze. Each freeze-thaw cycle causes water to back up behind the blockage. Since the water has nowhere else to go, it can work its way under shingles and into your home, leading to a host of problems, including:

Water Intrusion: When water pools behind an ice dam, it can seep through the roofing material and into the interior of the house - and it’s not limited to the attic. You can find stains on ceilings, walls, and baseboards - these can even extend to your flooring. 

Brick Damage: Water that penetrates the brick can freeze and expand, leading to cracks and spalling (the flaking, peeling, or “popping off” of brick surfaces). It’s unsightly and can lead to deterioration of surrounding areas and structural problems with the wall.

Mold and Mildew Growth: Excess moisture creates a great environment for mold and mildew, as well as other damaging materials which pose health risks.

While it’s true that historic brick homes were built to stand the test of time, they are not impenetrable. One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to take a few hours to ensure water will continue to move through the gutters as designed and keep it flowing away from your house.

The Importance of Professional Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning gutters may seem straightforward, but it requires experience.  Professionals have the right tools and techniques to ensure your gutters are entirely debris-free, allowing for proper drainage. While it may sound simple enough to tackle the job yourself, DIY gutter cleaning can be dangerous, especially on multi-level roofs, houses that are multiple stories high, or in tight quarters. Climbing ladders poses risks of falls, and reaching out or leaning over to clear gutters can lead to loss of balance. Professionals are trained to assess these risks and utilize any necessary safety gear. 

A professional will also complete the job quickly and efficiently while noting any concerns with the roof, eaves, gutters, and brick. This can save you money in the long run by allowing you to fix minor problems before they escalate into major repairs.

Take Care of Your Historic Brick with Tuckpointing

With the gutters professionally cleaned, it’s a good idea to take stock of your historic brick’s condition. A historic brick expert can repair the area with traditional tuckpointing if any damage is discovered, such as cracking or crumbling mortar or bricks. Traditional tuckpointing ensures the mortar has the right compressive strength—modern mixtures are too hard and can cause significant damage to historic brick homes. Using historically accurate techniques and time-period appropriate mortar mixtures, your brick will be safely rejuvenated and protected from the elements for years to come.

If you'd like to have the condition of your brick expertly assessed, call Renaissance Development to arrange a consultation. Ask about our Fall Promotion, offering 15% off tuckpointing projects. We are experts in traditional tuckpointing methods for historic brick homes in the DC area.