Gutter cleaning is an important, yet commonly overlooked area of home maintenance. While it may not seem like a big deal, if you neglect your gutters, sooner or later you will be facing major problems with your home. Gutters are your home’s water diverters.
Thus, when they become full of debris they can no longer function properly. Excess water can cause a wide range of issues ranging from flooding to mold and decay.
Henceforth, prevention is always the best policy. Don’t let another season go by without investing in a professional gutter cleaning. The benefits of a safe and healthy home will be well worth the investment!
What is Gutter Cleaning?
Gutter cleaning is the process of removing all types of debris that has accumulated inside your gutters. This includes leaves, twigs, branches, dirt, and other small objects. It also involves inspecting the entire length of your gutters for any damage or leaks.
If there are any signs of trouble, repairs should be made immediately. Otherwise, you run the risk of having serious water damage to your house.
How Does Gutter Cleaning Work?
The most common way to clean gutters is through manual labor. A person climbs up on a ladder and uses a long pole to reach into the gutter and remove debris.
However, this method requires a lot of time and effort. Plus, it is very dangerous because of the height involved. So, what is the alternative? Contact a professional gutter cleaning company.
They use high-powered equipment to get rid of all the unwanted stuff in your gutters. These machines are equipped with powerful brushes that allow them to access every inch of your gutters. In addition, they come with special tools that help them inspect the condition of your gutters.
Afterward, they use specialized chemicals to eliminate any harmful bacteria or algae. Finally, they use a vacuum system to suck out any remaining debris.
When you trust the professionals, you can rest assured that the job is done right, and you won’t have to worry about putting yourself in danger while completing a DIY cleaning job.
Benefits of Gutter Cleaning:
1. Protects Your Home from Pests
If you don’t regularly clean out your gutters, you could have serious problems down the line. Over time, debris builds up in your gutters and unkept, dirty gutters encourage insect and rodent infestations.
These can quickly breach inside your home making you and your family vulnerable to disease, as well as lice and bedbugs. These pests can even create nests where they lay their eggs. Regular gutter cleaning is so important because it prevents these problems from occurring.
2. Prevents Flooding
If you don’t keep your gutters clear, excess water can accumulate in your gutters. This causes a buildup of sediment, which eventually leads to clogs.
When this occurs, water cannot drain away from your home. Instead, it overflows overtop of your gutters into places it was never intended to like into your foundation and onto the ground below. This can lead to severe flooding or even foundation damage as a result of the constant impact of water.
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3. Improves Air Quality
When you have dirty gutters, they can trap large amounts of dust and pollen that may make it inside your home. As a result, you end up breathing in more allergens than usual. This can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory ailments.
On top of that, dirty gutters can harbor mold spores. These spores can easily grow in moist environments such as your attic. Once they do, they can spread throughout your home creating health hazards for everyone.
4. Helps Prevent Roof Leaks
Roof leaks are one of the biggest causes of water damage. If you do not inspect your gutters frequently enough, they may become impacted causing water to overflow onto your roof.
Before you know it, your roof will sustain areas of pooling water that may sit for days or even months, depending upon the temperature. In areas with frequent cold snaps, these pools of water may freeze causing damage due to ice expansion.
Even if the water merely sits, it can lead to issues with rot, decay, mold, and mildew. Over time, this may cause your roof to begin leaking. Once a leak starts, it can quickly spread throughout your roof, resulting in costly repair and replacement costs.
To prevent this from happening, gutter inspections, cleaning, and maintenance should be a regular part of your annual or bi-annual routine.
5. Makes Your Property More Attractive
Clean gutters look good. It’s true! While you probably already knew this, did you know that a well-kept house makes potential buyers want to buy it? Having an attractive exterior will help sell your home faster.
This is especially true when it comes to the condition of your gutters, as this first impression can make or break a potential buyer’s interest in pursuing your property.
Simply put, well-maintained gutters give the impression that you have taken good care of the property, helping to increase potential buyers’ confidence in your home as a solid choice.
Not to mention, a well-maintained home increases its equity, making it more likely that you will receive a higher price for your home.
6. Keeps Underlying Landscaping Safe from Torrential Rains
Having a clean gutter system keeps your landscaping safe from torrential rains. Heavy rainfall can cause erosion, soil compaction, and mudslides.
All of these things can ruin your lawn and garden. By keeping your gutters free of debris, you can avoid any issues caused by heavy storms.
How Often Should I Have a Professional Gutter Cleaning Company Maintenance My Gutters?
Gutters need to be cleaned at least once per year. However, if you live in an area where there is frequent snowfall, you may need to clean them more often. The best time to clean your gutters is when it’s dry out. Thus, many consumers choose to have their gutters cleaned, inspected, and repaired each fall and spring.
So, while you may have overlooked your gutters in years past, now is the time to take steps to protect your home’s future.
With so many benefits from regular cleaning and maintenance, don’t put gutter maintenance on the back burner until a major problem has already occurred.
