Gutters are a vital part of your roof and home. Keeping them clean can protect your foundation, and prevent water damage to your house, siding, and landscaping.
Gutter Cleaning can be an expensive job, but it’s essential to protect your home and investment. Clogged gutters lead to costly repair and pest infestation.
Clogged gutters cause numerous problems for homeowners including water damage, mold and mildew. They also can create issues for your roof and foundations. Gutters are designed to help rainwater flow away from the house. When they are clogged, it can cause the rain to splash back toward the house or down the sides of the gutters and into the downspouts. This can cause the downspouts to corrode and eventually leak.
A professional gutter cleaning is essential to ensure that rainwater flows away from the home as it should. It is recommended to have the gutters cleaned at least twice a year. Gutter cleaning removes debris that can clog the gutters, such as leaves, twigs and dirt. It also flushes the gutters to remove small particles that can build up and cause clogs.
Fallen leaves are the biggest contributor to clogged gutters. They can pile up fast, especially if there is a lot of foliage around the house. Deciduous trees such as oak, elm and maple produce the most leaves. Pine needles are another common contributor to clogged gutters. These tend to drop in the spring as the tree comes out of its dormant season.
Storms can also contribute to clogged gutters. Heavy rains and windy thunderstorms can deposit a large amount of debris in the gutters. This debris can include shingle fragments, wood chips, gravel, dirt, leaves and other plant materials. When this debris is left in the gutters, it can clog them and rust down the gutter system.
Regular gutter cleaning eliminates pests and encourages healthy growth of plants. It eliminates the nesting areas for rats, mice, mosquitoes and other pests that can carry diseases such as the West Nile Virus. It also helps prevent the growth of fungus, seedlings and other plants that can damage the gutter system. In addition, it reduces basement flooding and helps protect furniture, electronics and other items that are stored in the basement. Gutter cleaning is a labor intensive task that requires a ladder and safety equipment. For this reason, it is usually best to hire a professional gutter cleaner to do the job. They can use specialized gutter cleaning tools to remove debris from even the most difficult-to-reach areas of your gutter system.
Water Damage
Gutter cleaning helps to prevent water damage in your home’s foundation, basement, crawl space and attic. Clogged gutters cause rainwater to overflow and flood these areas, resulting in moisture damage which can lead to mold, mildew, wood rot, and insect infestations. The best way to protect your investment is by scheduling regular gutter cleanings and inspections.
Water damage can also affect your home’s structure and cause hairline cracks in the foundation which may lead to costly repairs in the future. Gutters are designed to funnel roof runoff away from your home’s foundation, preventing water from seeping into the basement or crawlspace. A clogged gutter will prevent water from flowing off the roof, leading to flooding in these spaces and causing moisture and structural damage.
Gutters that are regularly cleaned will not only work more efficiently by directing water away from your home, but they will also last longer than unclean gutters. Over time, a buildup of leaves and other debris will cause your gutters to become corroded and damaged. Clogged gutters also tend to overflow which can affect the surrounding soil and may lead to downspout leaks or breakage.
Clogged gutters can also cause overflow of water which can damage your home’s siding, outdoor lighting fixtures, and other decorative elements around the property. Overflowing water can also fuel the growth of mold and mildew which can affect your family’s health, especially if someone in your household has a compromised immune system or respiratory issues.
Overflowing water from clogged gutters can also seep into your home’s interior and can result in wallpaper, carpet, paint and other surfaces becoming damaged and needing to be replaced. Even a minor incident of water infiltration into your home can be very expensive to repair due to the labor intensive nature of drying out affected materials and reinstalling them.
A professional service will have the expertise, proper equipment and safety protocols to complete the task safely. They will be able to ensure that all gutters are working properly and that downspouts are directing water away from your foundation and the walls of your home. They will also be able to spot any potential issues that might need to be addressed and advise you of the necessary repairs.
Pests
Clogged gutters provide a breeding ground for pests. Mosquitoes, flies, ants, and wasps are attracted to the damp environment and decaying organic material that clogged gutters create. Over time, these pests can cause damage to your roof and fascia boards. They may also introduce diseases and allergens into your home. Rodents are another common pest found in gutters. They can gnaw holes through the wood, causing structural damage to your home, and they often leave droppings around the house that increase the risk of health issues for you and your family.
Regular gutter cleaning, especially in the fall and spring, is the best way to prevent pests. Setting a schedule and sticking to it will eliminate the accumulated debris that attracts pests. It’s also important to trim back any overhanging branches, since they can act as highways for pests that enter the gutter system and cause further problems.
Gutters are designed to channel rainwater away from your home, preventing it from seeping into the foundation and damaging your landscaping. Overflowing, leaking, or clogged gutters can cause the wood surrounding your home to rot. This can weaken the structure of your home, allowing water to leak through into the basement or foundation of your house, and it can also allow insects and rodents to nest inside.
Gutter guards, installing screens in your downspouts, removing standing water, improving pest control in your yard, and using natural deterrents like plants, essential oils, and motion-activated deterrents can all help to keep pests out of your gutters.
Gutter cleaning is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your home from costly repair bills and structural damage. It’s an investment in your home that will pay off for years to come. Clogged, overflowing, or leaking gutters can cause serious damage that will require costly repairs. Gutter cleaning helps prevent these expensive problems and keeps your property looking great. Contact YardDoc for all of your gutter services and learn more about our comprehensive exterior property care programs. Our professional technicians are trained to safely and effectively clean, maintain, and repair your gutter systems.
Safety
Climbing a ladder to reach the gutters is dangerous on its own, but it becomes even more hazardous when you are juggling other cleaning tools and trying to clear out a pile of leaves, sticks and other debris. A fall from a ladder can lead to serious injury or death, so it is important to take the proper safety precautions when cleaning gutters.
First, make sure the ladder is on a stable surface before climbing and that you are not overreaching. Ideally, you should have someone on the ground to spot you and hold the ladder for stability. It is also a good idea to wear gloves and a pair of sturdy work shoes to protect your feet from the sharp edges of twigs and other debris.
Once you are on the ladder, start by removing large debris by hand. This will reduce the amount of material you have to lug up and down the ladder. You may want to place the debris in a bucket or tarp for easy disposal afterward.
Next, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove loose leaves and top-level debris from the gutters. This will be much faster and easier than using a brush and will prevent the mess from getting on your hands. Lastly, a pressure washer can be used to clear out smaller particles and restore the gutters’ original color. It is important to wear a pair of protective eye glasses and a mask when using a power washer, as it can throw small pieces of metal and other debris into the air.
When you are finished, be sure to inspect the gutters and downspouts for signs of damage. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to the home’s foundation, siding and soffits. They can also create conditions for mold and mildew, which are difficult to eliminate once they start growing.
It is a good idea to clean your gutters twice per year, in the spring and fall. This will help ensure that they are able to do their job of channeling water away from the home’s foundation and siding. Regular cleaning can also help to keep pests and other unwanted houseguests from setting up shop in your clogged gutters.