Gutters are the silent saviour of homes, protecting your safe haven and the foundation from water damage during rains and storms.
However, to get the most out of them, you need to be punctual with your seasonal gutter cleaning routine. If not, your home will soon look rundown and shabby from the inside out.
Wondering what’s so special about gutter cleaning or when it should be done? Keep reading to find your answers!
Importance of Seasonal Gutter Cleaning: Why Clean Gutters
1. No Water Damage
Clogged gutters overflow during rainy seasons and storms. The water reaches your exterior walls and even the foundation. Excess water contact for an extended period can cause moisture to seep in and cause damage. For instance, it can lead to the following:
- Rotting of the wooden parts of the home
- Cracks in the foundation and severe structural damage
- Water overflow into the basement, resulting in basement flooding and property damage
- Soil erosion around the foundation, making the ground uneven and impacting the entire structure’s stability
Regular gutters maintenance keeps the water flow smooth and in line. Water doesn’t come in contact with these areas of your home, ensuring no water damage!
2. Roof Protection
Homeowners mostly notice water overflowing from clogged gutters, which affects the walls and ground. However, before reaching the point when water falls off, it stays on the roof for a while.
Without homeowners’ notice, the water backed up onto the roof, silently damaging the roof, which can lead to the following:
- Dampening of the home interior (ceilings and walls, especially in the attic, which results in high moisture-related concerns
- Major leaks
- Weakened fascia (a board along the roof edge) which can cause further issues
Together, these can reduce the lifespan of your roof and lead to more frequent roof and gutter replacements.
But with regular gutters maintenance, you can prevent this and enjoy the entire worth of your roof.
3. Pest Infestation Prevention
Gutters clogged with leaves, twigs, climbers, and dust are the best environment for pests. Birds, rodents, mosquitoes, and flies make their nests and breed in such spaces.
Pest infestation damages your roof and creates an unhygienic environment, impacting the health of all residents.
Seasonal gutter cleaning can thus keep your gutters free from debris, discouraging pests and birds from forming nests there.
4. No Mold or Mildew
If left uncleaned for a long time, clogged gutters, in combination with moisture, can allow water to seep into your home and lead to mold and mildew growth. These can cause severe health issues, including respiratory issues and allergies.
In fact, 1 in every 5 Americans suffers from environmental allergies, and mold is one of these allergens.
However, seasonal gutter maintenance can prevent unnecessary moisture buildup and minimize the risk of health concerns.
5. Say Goodbye to Ice Dams
Clogged gutters are also a major issue, especially in colder regions. The blockage prevents water from flowing out and freezes into ice dams (thick ice ridges) along the roof’s edge whenever temperatures drop.
Ice dams further prevent water from draining properly. Thus, puddled water on the roof seeps under the shingles and within the home’s structure, impacting the home’s structural integrity and weakening the roof. Ice dams also cause heat loss and lower the indoor temperature.
Seasonal gutter maintenance, especially before winter, can prevent ice dam formation and reduce the chances of water damage throughout the season.
6. Best Curb Appeal Maintenance
Lastly, clogged gutters look unsightly. Dry leaves, twigs, and dust sticking out of the gutters make even the prettiest homes unappealing. Moreover, dirty water overflowing from the gutter leaves unpleasant stains on the exterior walls, siding, and windows.
It completely ruins the house’s curb appeal. If you plan to sell your home or want to boost its resale price, seasonal gutter maintenance is a must!
When to Perform Seasonal Gutter Cleaning?
Conduct professional gutter cleaning at least twice a year, around spring and fall, if your region experiences mild climates. This can even increase if there are a lot of trees around your home or if the climate in your region is mostly windy and rainy. So, if you’re wondering when exactly you should undertake these, here’s a simple guide
Spring Gutter Cleaning
By the end of winter, gutters are generally filled with the most dirt and debris. From rotting leaves and twigs to piled-up garbage pulled by pests or flown by wind, the winter season puts major pressure on the gutters.
So, get your gutters professionally cleaned around spring. It’s best to wait until late spring so that there’s minimal chance of excess debris clogging the gutters.
Fall Gutter Cleaning
The next best time to conduct seasonal gutter cleaning is in the fall. During this time, the trees start shedding leaves, which block the gutters. Around this time, rains also begin. The rainwater won’t drain properly if you don’t clean the gutters.
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So, it’s best to get the cleaning done in early fall. This also prepares your gutters to handle excess rainfall, especially in winter.
Post-Storm Gutter Cleaning
If your locality is extremely prone to storms and hurricanes, then you should opt for professional cleaning whenever there’s one.
Professionals will not only clean your gutters but also inspect them for damage and fix them. They’ll prevent minor damages from becoming something major. With immediate action, your gutters stay functional in the long run.
Seasonal Gutter Cleaning by Self vs Professionals
You can clean gutters by yourself in between, but you should still appoint professionals at least twice a year.
Experts will be much more efficient and get the job done quickly. They can even identify potential concerns that can be fixed early. You won’t have to touch the messy and dirty gutter, saving yourself a lot of hassle. Plus, this is way safer as the task requires using ladders and working at heights.
Conclusion
Seasonal gutter cleaning is a must to maintain your home’s roof as well as the overall structure. It protects your home from major damages and related expenses.
However, it’s better to opt for a gutter and roof cleaning and maintenance from professionals to ensure everything is in peak condition. Looking for professionals? Seek us at LA Roofing Materials, and we’ll connect you with the industry-leading options!