Brooks & Crowley - August 2021

Get Your Mind Into the Gutter 5 Tips to Make Gutter Cleaning Hassle-Free

2. Dress for the mess. To protect yourself from dirt and

No homeowner likes cleaning their gutters. It’s a universal truth, but unfortunately the smelly, messy job has to be done, and this is the month to do it! Why clean your gutters? If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, they’ll be too full of leaves and debris to ferry rainwater properly. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it can have disastrous consequences. Water can pool on your roof and cause a leak, seep into your basement, act as a breeding ground for insects, or even damage your foundation if it collects near the walls of your home and then freezes. Yikes! Make the messy job easy! According to the experts at Realtor.com, August is a prime time to clean out your gutters before late-summer storms hit. Luckily, there are dozens of ways to make the nasty job easier. Here are five of our favorites. 1. Invest in a gutter scoop. Gutter scoops are designed specifically for cleaning out gutters, and prices for them start at less than $3.50 at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. Buying one will save you from digging through the gutter goop by hand! In a pinch, you can also use a pet food scoop or plastic cup.

bacteria, wear thick suede-type gloves, rubber-soled shoes, and protective glasses or goggles.

Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this easy, seasonal August sausage and vegetable bake. Ingredients Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables Inspired by NutmegNanny.com 3. Let your hose do the work. As an alternative to the gutter scoop, you can attach a spray nozzle to your hose and blast the leaves out of the gutter! This method uses a lot of water, but it’s an easy (and clean) strategy. 4. Try gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal grates that you can snap onto the tops of your gutters. They let water through, but keep leaves and debris out. Outfitting your entire house with guards can get pricey, but they save you hassle come cleaning time. 5. When in doubt, hire it out. Of course, the best way to make gutter cleaning easier is to pay someone else to do it! Hiring an expert will keep you out of the muck and guarantee great results.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

• • • • • • •

4 sausage links of your choice

• • • • • • •

3 tbsp olive oil

1 lb green beans

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 red bell pepper, diced 1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 tbsp thyme 1 tsp oregano

1 red onion, diced 1 zucchini, diced 1 yellow summer squash, diced

1 tsp basil 1 tsp salt

1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F. directions

1 3

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

Made with FlippingBook Online document maker