Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ VP Pick, Shares Crucial Home Maintenance Tip

With the presidential election coming up, voters are interested in the candidates’ stance on important matters such as inflation and immigration.

But what about their viewpoints on gutters?

Wait, what?

That’s right. In an interview with SubwayTakes, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz declared, “The most neglected part of homeownership is the gutters. It’s personal for me.”

Many viewers were shocked and delighted that Walz couldn’t keep his head out of the gutter, so to speak.

“I was as surprised as anyone that Walz is so passionate about gutters, but he’s right—gutters are often the forgotten part of the home,” says Chris Counahan, president of LeafFilter gutter protection company. “It’s about time gutters get their moment in the sun.”

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Clean your gutters

Walz’s “personal” vendetta on gutters comes from his past home maintenance travails.

“I’ve had problems with gutters before,” he admitted. “You get your basement wet. You get ice dams. It causes a lot of problems.”

To prevent that from happening, it’s essential to stop problems before they start.

“Gutter cleaning is crucial because it prevents the buildup of debris like leaves and dirt, ensuring proper water flow,” says Counahan.

This helps avoid issues such as water damage to the roof, foundation, and walls, as well as preventing the potential for mold growth.

“If gutters are not cleaned regularly and water overflows from the gutters, it can fall along the foundation of your home, freeze, and result in cracks,” warns Counahan.

In fact, the foundational damage caused by clogged gutters can result in damages that could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.

So if you notice your gutters looking warped or saggy; pulling away from the house; getting clogged with debris; or draining incorrectly or abnormally, it could be time to call in a professional to save yourself more trouble down the road.

Guard your gutters

Walz recommends putting what he calls a “gutter helmet” over the top of your gutters.

“It covers it and lets water go through and keeps it out of your house,” he says. “I see this all the time.”

Gutter guards enclose the whole gutter by sitting like a lid on a box. They prevent gutters from getting clogged and leading to costly repairs, according to Counahan.

“Gutter guards deter critters like raccoons, birds, and squirrels from nesting in your gutters,” he says. “They also eliminate the need for homeowners to climb ladders to clean gutters, which is incredibly dangerous.”

Maintain your gutters

Walz says he looks at his gutters “quite often, surprisingly.”

That’s a good thing, because performing routine maintenance on your gutters every six months and after high winds or storms is incredibly important.

“That’s a simple way for homeowners to protect their home’s foundation and ensure its long-term value, especially with the rise in weather and climate-related issues in recent years,” Counahan says.

If Walz makes it into the White House, don’t be surprised if you see new gutters on the most famous home in the country.

“I try not to be judgmental on people,” Walz says. “But when I see a well-tended gutter, it says a lot about somebody.”