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Unclogging your Downspouts

7052540994 • Mar 08, 2019

Before Spring Showers Arrive

Spring|Deck|Madison|Wisconsin|Wood|Maintenance|yard|composite|gutters|outdoors

It is important not only to keep your gutters clean, but to keep your downspouts cleared out as well. When water fills your gutters and it has nowhere else to go, it can leak over causing problems to your roof, siding, and foundation. It is essential to keep the downspout clear so that water can be directed away from your home.

The task of clearing out your gutters will sometimes require you to get onto your roof and use your hose, so you will want to wait to complete this task when ice and freezing temperatures are no longer a major threat. Late March or early April is a good time to get this done, once the freezing temperatures have passed but before major rainfall.

Start with a sturdy extension ladder that is tall enough to reach the roof of your home. You do not want to have to reach any more than necessary in order to get onto the roof. The ladder should reach the edge of the roof. You may also need a 2nd person to support the ladder and assist with other tasks.

Before attempting to clear out the downspout, be sure that the gutters are cleaned. Remove leaves and other debris. Although, more time consuming, it is safer to move the ladder as you go rather than unclogging from the roof itself which would require you to lean away from the roof, making losing your balance more likely.

Once this task is complete, remove the horizontal extensions from the down spouts. It will be easier to push debris out of the down spout without the added directional issues.

Next, take the hose and place it at the opening of the first down spout with a small towel wrapped around to hold in pressure. Have your helper turn on the hose slowly to full force. You will know that the spout is cleared when the debris spits out and the water runs freely. Run for a few minutes to clear the remaining leaves.

For difficult clogs, you can use a plumbing snake to thread it through and pull out clogs. You can then try the hose method again.

Before putting the extension pipes back on, be sure they are cleared as well.

Now you have free and clear spouts, ready to take on the spring showers. As always, if you don’t feel comfortable performing this task yourself, or if you have health challenges, contact a professional.

By 7052540994 03 Mar, 2020
Easter Sunday occurs this year on April 12th. If you are one of many families that celebrate by giving Easter Baskets to children, you may be working on them now. Smaller kids are easy, as they tend to get excited about any little snack or trinket that is offered to them. However, if you have an older child or teen that you give an Easter basket to, you may be struggling with ideas. Older children typically don’t have much use for stuffed animals, bubbles, or Play-Doh. So, what can you get them without going overboard? 1. Hat Basket – One popular idea is a hat basket. Find a baseball style hat that they would like (a favorite sports team, a funny saying, or something else they like), turn it upside-down and fill it with their favorite treats. The hat won’t hold a lot, so no need to get much. Just a couple favorite snacks, maybe a small gift card and call it good. Simple and useful. Some hats will work better than others so double check that you will be able to put what you need into it before purchasing. 2. Shower/Pamper Basket - If your teen or older child isn’t into baseball hats, try a bag of shower goodies. Use a make-up or shower bag as your “basket” and fill it with items they will use. Bath bombs, lotions, shower shoes, and nail files are a few ideas. 3. Starbucks Basket/Cup - Another fun idea for a teen who likes Starbucks is to get them a Starbucks thermos for their “basket” and fill it with a Starbucks gift card and perhaps a small traditional Easter treat. 4. Artist Basket – If you have an artsy teen or child you can make them an art basket. Use a crate lined with fabric or felt (to hold the supplies in it) and fill it with a few art items. Try blank canvases, paints, brushes, molding clay, felt, decorative cutting scissors, or whatever their art preferences are. 5. College basket – For a teen leaving for college you can create a basket with college essentials. For a few ideas you can use headphones/ear buds, a daily planner, USB flash drives, a reusable water bottle, and don’t forget a gift that displays the logo for the college of their choice (a keychain, hat, or coffee mug would work). 6. Fishing Basket – If you have a child who likes to fish, you can use a tackle box or fishing net for your basket and fill it with Easter treats and fishing gear. Swedish fish gummies, gummy worms, bug spray, sun block, lures, and other fishing gear are a few ideas to get you started. These are just a few ideas for a teen or older child. There are many other ideas to help you out. Pinterest is a good place to check if none of these seem to work for your child. You can always keep it simple and do a traditional basket with Easter treats and throw in a small gift card to their favorite store. Happy Easter!
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