If there is one activity that homeowners do not look forward to doing regularly, it is cleaning gutters. However, despite being a less appealing chore, routine gutter maintenance can keep the exterior and foundation of your roof in good condition. It might take an hour or two to get rid of the gunk from your gutters, but the advantages of this task still outweigh the disadvantages. Keeping your gutter free of debris and other unwanted materials can extend the life of your roof. The worst thing that can happen if you do not pay attention to your gutter is water damage. Your gutter can also collapse if it cannot take the weight of rubbish.
Why bother cleaning your gutters?
The primary purpose of the gutter is to collect rainwater from your roof. Once collected, the water is carried away from your home’s foundation through its downspouts. The gutter and the downspouts must be free from debris for this task to be carried out successfully. If you have a clogged gutter, it will cause the water to overflow. If left unchecked, constant rain will trap water, filling up the gutter. When this happens, the water will overflow onto your home’s foundation. The problem does not stop there. Depending on the condition of your home’s foundation and the amount of water, your crawl space can suffer from overflow. Water leaks are a costly damage because they also expose your home to the risk of mold growth.
Weight strain is another problem that clogged gutters may cause to your roof. The gutters that are too full can collapse and cause damage to shingles and even the exterior of your house. Never underestimate the importance of routine cleaning of your gutters as they can prevent serious damage to your exterior, foundation, and roof. Gutter maintenance can also save you from spending thousands just for repairing your roof.
How often should gutter cleaning be done?
Being aware of the impact of clogged gutters on your property will convince you to always keep your gutter clean. While climbing a ladder to check the gutter’s condition might be the easiest thing to do, it is not the safest. Cleaning gutters must be done by professionals twice a year. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with roofing professionals once in the spring and another appointment in the fall. You might need to clean your gutters more frequently if there is a number of trees near your home. The climate will also play a role in determining how often you should clean your gutters.
For areas experiencing winter, you need to keep your gutters in check because this is also the season where the gutters are unable to drain water. Avoid checking your gutter after a storm as dislodged branches, leaves or other types of debris might have already found their way into your gutters.
Cleaning your gutters is a less glamorous job, but when you think about the benefits that it provides, you will thank yourself for sparing a few hours in keeping it free from debris. Not giving importance to gutter maintenance can make your debris-filled gutter breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes.