Saying Goodbye to Summer and Hello to Fall . . .

As the days become shorter and the nights become colder, we are gently reminded that Summer has packed up it’s bags for a while (for an entire year to be exact), and that Fall is here to stay! Changing leaves, barren branches and the faint smell of bonfire’s in the distance, remind us that as seasons change, so does life. Easy going days, with laid back schedules and poolside conversations, are traded in for the hustle and bustle of busy school days, hurried dinners, and late nights of homework and extracurricular activities.

With that change, comes a list of household “chores” and responsibilities for those crisp October Saturday’s. Pruning, trimming and mulching, with a touch of tilling and planting of annuals, help to ensure a well manicured lawn for the rest of the season . . . and leaves, we can’t forget the leaves! Some red, a couple of orange, and a few with a touch of gold are raked, and raked, and raked some more! Soon a plethora of children of all ages (from 1-99) will be jumping and laughing and throwing handfuls of colorful leaves at each other, making sweet memories to recall in the days to come.

Just about the time you sit down to take a well deserved break and treat yourself to a hearty slice of pumpkin pie and a sip of a steaming pumpkin latte (remember, whether you like it or not, pumpkin is the “official” flavor of the season!) suddenly, you realize that you have forgotten one very important job . . . cleaning the gutters. . . Ugh!

Your mother always told you to keep your mind out of the gutter, but for today and today only, you need to keep your mind focused on those gutters, and do your best to get the job done!

What are they and what do they do . . .

Gutters, every house and building should have them. When properly installed and maintained, gutters help to protect and prolong the life  of your home from the natural elements, especially rainwater. Other benefits include protection from:

-water damage and staining to brick or siding

-deep settling and cracking of sidewalks, driveways and patios

–  foundation problems and water damage in basements

-erosion of landscaping and turf

How to take care of them . . .

Maintaining gutters is fairly easy once you get the hang of it and make it a part of your annual Fall cleanup routine. Here are a few tips to remember:

– gutters should be securely fastened to the fascias, and should have downspouts that are attached to the exterior of the house

-remember that Fall means falling leaves, and falling leaves mean gutters that are filled to capacity, be sure to clean them of all clogs and debris

-houses with trees within 10ft of the roof line need to be cleaned out at least 2 times a year, sloped roofs may require more cleanings

Be sure to take the time to treat your gutters well this Fall, come Spring . . .  you will be so glad that you did!

If you should discover any water, fire, or mold problems along the way, be sure to call Duraclean Services @ 410-838-7330. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

Remember,”No One is Faster to the Disaster!”