04/02/2019
Some Excellent Compost...
You just have to hate the weather sometimes.
I had today scheduled as a cleanup day at the Project House. It was Gutter day and, of course, winter has taken one last shot at Houston. It was 54 degrees when I started work. Granted this isn't freezing, but it was certainly chilly.
This is one of those DIY things that can save you a few hundred dollars. I looked at it like this; I can easily do this job. I can repair any problems I find while I do it, and I can use the funds I save toward a nicer farm sink for the kitchen.
When you are working on a massive remodel investment you have to pick and choose what you can and can't do. If you are going to do it, make sure you have the skill needed for the job, and that the cost-benefit analysis works for you.
Spending a day outside and working felt good, helped me destress a little bit and saved me money. Plus, I definitely can clean and repair gutters.
Here is a hint for all of you homeowners out there, if trees have started growing out of your gutters, then it is way past time to clean them.
I have a suspicion that these gutters hadn't been cleaned in many years. The trees had very well built root balls that were a pain to get out. One was eight feet long and two inches in depth.
There are many good reasons to make sure that your gutters are clean. Here is a heads up:
When leaves and other debris clog up your gutters to the point that water is flooding over, you can end up having issues with rot on your roofing.
The fascia board behind the gutter is one of the main places where the rot can take hold and then the gutters can pull themselves off the house. The weight alone from the water and debris can be enough to make the system fail and separate from the house.
Failing systems is the main reasons that it's important to keep your gutters clean.
The next is that kind of debris is an excellent place for critters to nest. Birds, roaches, mosquitos, in fact, all sorts of insects find these rotting damp leaves a choice home.
Finally, water overflowing into the beds and yard next to your home can cause problems with your foundation.
One last point, I am not sure why everyone thinks composting is so tricky. Just resist cleaning your gutters for a couple of years, and you will have some excellent compost. Look at how healthy those young saplings are. It is just a pain to gather it.
It took 6 hours just to get the garage gutters cleaned up and the surrounding areas swept up. I bet the gutters of the house will take eight hours or more.
It is spring, time to make sure your home is in good shape and hasn't suffered unduly over the winter. Also, it is the perfect time to get a good dose of w**d and feed on the lawn.
Go out there today my friend and be a good homeowner. Take care of your investment(or hire someone to do it).
