Hello Fall! We love it when the weather starts to get cooler and the leaves change. But, that also brings headaches to homeowners who have watched those falling leaves clog their gutters. If your gutters need to be cleared, how do you know when to do it yourself and when to hire a professional? The following tips will help you decide which is better for you.
The Importance of Gutter Cleaning
Routine gutter cleaning is an essential bi-yearly task that helps keep your home’s foundation, siding, fascia, and roof, free from water damage. Gutters are constructed to take rainwater from the roof and move it through downspouts and away from the house. Unfortunately, leaves, twigs, pollen, and other debris can easily clog gutters and cause rainwater to overflow onto, or towards, the house. This can cause a lot of damage to the house.
Roof Damage
When water can’t move through your gutters, it begins to collect in them and weighs them down. That extra weight puts a strain on the fascia (the boards behind the gutters) and on the roof itself. If the gutters get too full and heavy, they can pull away from the house, causing damage to the fascia and possibly tearing shingles off the roof. Even if the gutters don’t pull away, the overflowing water will almost certainly cause the fascia to rot over time.
Siding Damage
If rainwater isn’t flowing through your gutters and downspouts, it then pools, overflows, and runs down the side of your house. This can stain wood, vinyl, brick, or siding. A brick or stone house is especially vulnerable since prolonged exposure to moisture can cause mortar deterioration, cracking, and even mold.
Other Issues
Besides damaging your home’s structure, overflowing water can wreak havoc on your lawn. Downpours from clogged gutters can wash out flower beds, killing plants and leaving behind nothing but mud. Worse yet, clogged gutters are a magnet for insects and rodents. The standing water attracts bugs of all sorts, including ants, termites, and mosquitoes.
How Often Should Gutters Be Cleared?
Luckily, the potential problems mentioned above are avoidable with regular gutter clearing. Experts suggest getting gutters and downspouts cleaned two times a year, typically in fall and spring. However, if your property has a lot of trees, you may need to clean your gutters as often as every three months. Stormy weather? It’s also a good idea to check your gutters for debris after a severe storm.
Hiring a Professional
Gutter clearing involves spending time on a tall ladder and it comes with some risk. The CDC reports that in the United States, > 500,000 people are treated for ladder- related injuries each year. If you have a fear of heights or you live in a two+ story home, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional.
Why APS Window & Gutter Cleaning?
APS Window & Gutter Cleaning has been helping people maintain their homes for many years. Our professional cleaners have all the tools and training necessary to clear debris from the hard-to-reach places in your gutters and downspouts. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your home.