Clean windows and clear gutters: the maintenance most people skip

Gutters and windows are easy to ignore until they cause real, expensive problems. A little routine here protects everything else.

Gutters: small clog, big damage

When gutters clog, water overflows where it shouldn't — against siding, into the fascia, and down to the foundation. Over time that means rot, basement leaks and cracked foundations. Clear them at least twice a year, in late spring and again after the leaves drop in fall.

• Make sure downspouts carry water several feet away from the house.
• Check for sagging sections — that's where water pools and overflows.
• Consider guards if you're surrounded by trees.

Streak-free windows

• Clean on a cloudy day — sun dries the cleaner too fast and leaves streaks.
• Use a squeegee top-to-bottom, wiping the blade each pass.
• Don't forget the tracks and screens; that's where the grime really lives.