Straight-talk articles from Mike Harrison about caring for gutters, screens, and the small stuff that keeps Iowa homes weather-ready.
Cleaning gutters before a storm can be a smart move if leaves, sticks, roof grit, or debris are already building up. Clear gutters help move rainwater through the downspouts and away from the house, which can reduce overflow and drainage problems during heavy weather.
Read moreWater can overshoot gutters when heavy rain moves too fast off the roof, gutters are clogged, downspouts are blocked, roof valleys dump too much water into one area, or the gutter system is not catching runoff correctly. The right fix depends on whether the issue is debris, drainage, gutter placement, or roofline water flow.
Read moreWater overflowing behind your gutters usually means water is not being caught or drained correctly. The cause may be clogged gutters, blocked downspouts, sagging sections, improper slope, roof edge issues, or heavy debris forcing water where it should not go.
Read moreGutter guards can help reduce the amount of leaves and debris that get into your gutters, but they do not make gutters maintenance-free. For Glenwood homeowners, the right choice depends on tree coverage, roof debris, gutter condition, budget, and how often gutters currently clog.
Read moreCleaning your own gutters can be done on some homes, but safety matters. Homeowners should understand what tools are needed, what signs to look for, how to check drainage from the ground, and when ladder work is not worth the risk.
Read moreThe cost of gutter cleaning and resealing depends on the home, gutter height, debris level, leak location, and whether the issue is a simple clog or a repair problem. For many homeowners, cleaning comes first because clogged gutters can make seams and corners appear worse than they really are.
Read moreWater dripping from the ends or corners of your gutters usually means water is not moving through the gutter system correctly. The cause may be clogged gutters, blocked downspouts, packed debris near the corners, loose end caps, leaking seams, or gutters that are holding water instead of draining.
Read moreClogged gutters can send water where it does not belong. When rainwater overflows, runs behind the gutter, or dumps too close to the house, it can contribute to siding stains, fascia issues, washed-out landscaping, and moisture near the foundation.
Read moreDownspouts are supposed to move water away from your home. If they are clogged, disconnected, too short, or draining too close to the foundation, you may notice overflow, pooling water, washed-out landscaping, or wet spots near the house.
Read moreWindow screen replacement is usually worth it when screens are torn, loose, brittle, faded, or no longer keeping bugs out. For many homeowners, replacing damaged screens is a simple way to improve comfort, airflow, curb appeal, and everyday use of the home.
Read moreClogged gutters do more than hold leaves. When water cannot move through the gutter system, it can overflow, pool near the foundation, stain siding, damage fascia, and create bigger maintenance problems around the home.
Read moreIowa weather can be hard on gutters. Between spring storms, falling leaves, roof debris, and winter freeze-thaw cycles, most homeowners should check and clean their gutters more than once a year.
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