Cleaning your home’s gutter systems is a task that can easily be an “out of sight, out of mind” scenario. However, regular gutter cleaning is a crucial aspect of keeping your home in good condition. Gutters protect your home from water damage in so many ways.
Clogged gutters can cause more damage than you may realize. A heavy build-up of leaves means that water will sit in drains, which can damage your roofing and cause water damage such as rot or unsightly streaking of your home’s walls.
How Your Gutter System Works
The home’s external drainage system is designed to channel water runoff. This overflow can be from rain, melted ice dams, snow, etc. The system directs the water from your roof to a drain at ground level via a downspout. This system, if correctly set up and maintained, prevents water from pooling in the wrong places.
Water that does not drain away can cause several problems. These issues can include:
- Mold
- Roof rot
- Damage to fascia
- Shingle deterioration
- Wall damage
Overflowing water from a clogged system can also ruin your landscaping, seep into the ceiling, and even cause cracks to form in your home’s foundation. The stagnant water can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insect pests.
You may get away with small amounts of water pooling and overflow in the short term, but over time it is guaranteed to cause major, expensive damage to your property. Investing in gutter cleaning services will save you thousands in the long run.
Your gutter cleaning costs will be nothing in comparison to having to sort out the above issues.
Knowing if Your Gutters are in Good Condition or Not
You may not be able to see the top of your gutters if you have high roofing. There are a few tell-tale signs that your downspouts are not in the best shape, however.
If the system is clogged, you may notice some leaves and sticks poking out from the top or through the joins. Another sign of blockage includes minimal drainage even during heavy rainfall.
The best way to find out if your gutters need some attention is to call in a professional gutter cleaning service. They will be able to analyze the state of matters and advise accordingly.
How to Maintain Your Gutters
Keeping your downspouts in good working order is relatively straightforward, but taking routine action is necessary. It can be easy to forget these minor things.
So, make a note to do the following regularly:
Clear Gutters Twice a Year
To do a thorough gutter cleaning, you’ll need to jump up on your ladder and remove any debris in the channels. If you live in an area with a lot of foliage, you may need to clear the system more often than the recommended twice a year. In this case, it is best to check and clear after significant storms or high winds.
Trim Surrounding Trees
You should also make a routine of trimming any trees or high bushes close to the house. This will help keep leaves and sticks from falling onto the roof and into the drains and downspouts. Doing a good trim every few months can go a long way to preventing clogged gutters and all the maintenance issues that come with them.
Do Regular Roof Repairs
Making sure the rest of your roof is kept in good condition can also help. Loose shingles, for example, can stop the system from performing its job effectively, so you can save a lot of trouble by keeping everything in good order.
Professional Cleaning
Cleaning clogged gutters well can be a demanding and time-consuming task. It means climbing up on ladders or onto the roof to reach areas filled with debris and requires a certain level of agility. If you are strapped for time, don’t want to risk a fall, or prefer not to do it yourself, you can engage expert gutter cleaning services.
A service provider will come and take care of all your gutter cleaning needs. Gutter cleaning costs range from $80 to $150 for a single-story home of about 1500 square feet. Routine gutter cleaning can save you an eye-opening amount of money on damage repairs. Water damage can cost in the region of $5000 to sort out. In this case, prevention is better — and less costly — than cure.
Some Last Thoughts
As you can see, leaving your gutters in a poorly maintained state can be more trouble than it is worth. Clearing clogged gutters need to be done regularly to prevent numerous kinds of water damage.
If cleaning the system yourself is not your thing, then it’s best to engage an expert to carry out regular gutter cleaning services for you.