Gutter Cleaning is the process of removing leaves, debris, dirt, and twigs from gutters and downspouts. Gutters tunnel rainwater off your roof and funnel it away from your home, preventing water damage to your walls, foundation, and landscaping.
Gutter maintenance is often overlooked, but paying attention to this task can lead to expensive water damage and unattractive exterior stains. Typically, your gutters should be cleaned twice yearly in Spring and Autumn.
Gutters help protect your home from serious water damage by collecting runoff from the roof and channeling it away from the foundation. However, if they become clogged, your home can suffer a number of consequences.
A clogged gutter allows rainwater to spill over the sides and pool in the yard or near your home’s foundation. Over time, this can erode the soil that supports your foundation. The deterioration can cause cracks, mold growth, and rot. If the deterioration becomes severe, it can weaken the walls of your foundation, which can lead to settling and shifting.
Clogged gutters also allow water to seep into your shingles and roof, which can damage the structure of your home. Additionally, standing water can rot the wood fascia boards and joists that support your home’s foundation. The rotting wood can then cause the foundation to shift and crack.
If you are unsure whether your gutters are clogged, try tapping on the side of the downspout. If you hear a dull thud, it is likely that the gutter is clogged. You can also use a plumbing snake to unclog your gutters. To do so, start at the top of the downspout and work your way down, making sure to remove any debris you find along the way.
Another way to check for a clogged gutter is to check the flow of your downspouts during a heavy rainstorm. If the water flows over the gutter but does not flow into your downspout, it is most likely clogged.
While it is easy to forget about your gutters until they become clogged, they are an essential part of your home’s protection system. If you do not maintain your gutters, you may be at risk of costly repairs to your home’s roof, siding, foundation, and landscaping. In addition, the water damage caused by clogged gutters is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies. Therefore, it is important to have your gutters cleaned regularly by a professional to prevent serious and expensive damage to your home.
Clogged Gutters Can Damage Your Roof
In a healthy gutter system, rainwater is funneled through downspouts and away from the home. When these are clogged, the water overflows and can damage your roof, walls, and foundation. Clogged gutters can also damage your landscape and make the exterior of your house look dingy.
When rainwater cannot flow off your roof because of a clogged gutter, it can seep underneath the shingles and rot the structure. This can lead to expensive roof repairs or replacement. In addition, rotting can cause leaks that affect the interior of your home and the items stored in the attic or basement.
A clogged gutter can also encourage the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage your home’s exterior and deteriorate wood materials. If the mold spores are released into the home, they can trigger asthma and other respiratory issues. Regular gutter cleaning helps prevent these problems.
Gutters that are clogged can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects that can spread diseases like the West Nile Virus and Zika. The stagnant water and debris in clogged gutters can also attract pests like rodents and termites.
Water that pools around the foundation of your home can also erode the soil and crack the foundation, which can be very costly to fix. In some cases, it may even require the entire foundation to be replaced.
Clogged gutters can also contribute to the formation of ice dams, which are large icicles that form at the edge of your roof. The ice dams can melt and refreeze repeatedly, causing additional damage to your roof. Gutter cleaning can help prevent ice dams by ensuring that rainwater can easily flow off your roof.
The best time to clean your gutters is before the heavy leaf and needle fall in autumn. However, you can clean your gutters during other times of the year if they are clogged or overflowing. Just make sure to have the proper gear, such as a ladder, safety glasses, and tools to remove the debris. It is also a good idea to have someone helping you, especially if the gutters are high up on the sides of the house.
Clogged Gutters Can Damage Your Landscaping
When gutters become clogged with leaves, pine needles, animal nests, and other debris, rainwater is trapped and cannot move off the roof. Instead, it falls straight onto the landscape and can wreak havoc. Gutters are designed to tunnel water off the roof through downspouts and away from the house. If the gutters are clogged, the water can redirect into garden beds and ruin your carefully maintained greenery.
Water that seeps into the soil around your foundation can also cause soil erosion. Over time, this can cause cracks in the foundation, which are both expensive and dangerous. Clogged gutters can also allow water to pour down the sides of your home, which will lead to damp areas and damage the exterior of your walls.
Clogged gutters are also an ideal breeding ground for mildew and moss, which can stain the siding of your house. In addition, standing water in the gutters can attract mosquitoes and other pests to your property.
Gutter cleaning is not usually at the top of most homeowners’ to-do lists, but it is an important chore that can protect your home from costly water damage. Make sure you clear your gutters at least twice a year: once in spring and once in autumn.
If you’re unsure of how to clean your gutters, you can always hire a professional. However, if you decide to do it yourself, remember to work safely by following the proper safety guidelines. Always use a ladder when working on a high roof, and always wear work gloves and protective eyewear. You should also consider using a gutter scoop to dredge out any clogged debris like acorns, leaves, twigs, and snow. For stubborn clogs, you can try using a plumbing snake and a hose attachment.
Your gutters and downspouts are a vital part of your roofing system. If you neglect them, it can cost you a lot of money in repairs and even the loss of your valuable greenery. Keeping your gutters clean is an easy way to protect the investment you’ve made in your property. So, don’t wait until it’s too late – schedule your gutter cleaning today!
Clogged Gutters Can Damage Your Home’s Appearance
Clogged gutters are more than just a nuisance; they can detract from the appearance of your home. The accumulated dirt, mold, mildew, and rust can cause your house to appear dirty and unkempt. It can also create a musty odor and attract insects, rodents, and wildlife to your property. If these pests enter your home through damaged walls or roofs, they can cause additional damage and endanger the health of your family.
Gutters are designed to direct rainwater off your roof through downspouts and away from your foundation. When these are clogged, water overflows and begins to pool around your foundation. This can soften the soil, causing cracks and shifts in your foundation over time. In addition, it can erode your landscaping.
Gutter cleaning is a task that many homeowners hate to do, but it’s vital to the health of your home. If you’re putting off this important maintenance task, it’s time to make a change. Climbing a ladder to dig out mud and leaves isn’t the most fun chore, but it’s well worth the effort. By keeping your gutters free from debris, you’ll prevent everything from bees’ nests to foundation problems.
A simple inspection of your gutters can help you determine if it’s time to clean them. If they’re sagging or look crooked, it’s likely due to heavy loads from clogged water. You can also check for stains on your siding that indicate runoff from your clogged gutters.
Another sign that your gutters are clogged is hearing strange noises. During heavy rainstorms, if you hear gurgling or banging sounds coming from your gutters, it’s probably because the water is trying to drain through the clog but can’t. This is a dangerous situation that should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage to your home.
