Clogged gutters can cause expensive roof and wall damage. Regular cleaning can prevent these problems and protect your home.

If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder, DIY gutter cleaning can be an inexpensive weekend project. However, the job can be tedious and dangerous. Over 160,000 people are sent to the ER every year due to ladder injuries. 

Gutters help preserve your roof by channeling rainwater away from the base of your house and its foundations. This keeps the water from seeping into your walls and ceiling, causing mold and mildew, which can ruin furniture, clothes, and electronics that are stored in your basement.

However, when gutters become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, they no longer function properly. They can even cause ice dams in colder climates, a major problem that can lead to roof leaks and severe structural damage to the structure of your home.

A full gutter can also encourage the growth of plants like moss and ivy, which attach to the roof and break apart the materials that make up your roof. In addition to reducing the longevity of your roof, these plants can pose health risks by releasing spores that can trigger allergies and asthma.

While a little rust and dirt won’t harm your roof, clogged gutters can cause the shingles to deteriorate prematurely, leading to costly replacement in the future. Regular cleaning can prevent this by allowing the shingles to drain properly and avoid moisture buildup that can cause them to corrode or fall off.

Gutters that are filled with debris can no longer efficiently channel water, causing it to overflow and spill over the sides of your home. This can cause flooding, soil erosion, and foundation cracks that are expensive to repair. Regular gutter cleaning can prevent this by ensuring that water is always directed away from your home and its foundations.

It’s best to clean your gutters in late autumn and spring, when the accumulated leaves are easier to remove. You’ll need a ladder, a bucket, and a gutter scoop or garden trowel to clear out the debris. A shop vac kit with a garden hose attachment or pressure washer wand can also be used, but it’s important to make sure the attachment is long enough to reach over and into the gutters. If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder, consider hiring professional gutter cleaners who have the proper equipment for the job.

Prevents Water Damage to Your Basement

Gutters play a vital role in your building’s water management system. They divert water away from the foundation of your home and direct it elsewhere on your property to prevent basement flooding, structural damage, mold growth, and other costly problems. However, like any system, they require regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly.

If left unchecked, clogged gutters can lead to roof leaks, water damage to the fascia boards, soffit and rafter areas, rust on your shingles and roof decking, basement flooding, and other related problems. Regular gutter cleaning can help you avoid these issues and extend the life of your home’s roof, soffit, fascia boards, roof decking, and shingles.

Regular gutter cleaning also helps to protect your home from pests such as rodents, squirrels, birds and more. If debris such as leaves, twigs and moss build up in your guttering, it creates a perfect nesting area for critters. Over time, these creatures can eat away at your roof, gutters and downspouts and cause significant damage to your home. If you have gutter guards, these can trap debris and keep critters from getting into your gutters.

When you hire a professional gutter cleaning service, they can use telescopic gutter clearing and vacuuming machines to fully clean out your gutters and ensure they are unobstructed. This will not only protect your roof, but it will also improve the look of your house exterior and give you peace of mind that the gutters are working correctly and effectively.

When you schedule a professional gutter cleaning, they will come out at a time that suits your needs and will assess the condition of your guttering. They will use the telescopic vacuuming machine to fully clean out your gutters and remove all debris. They will then use a camera attached to the end of their pole to show you what they’ve removed and check that your gutters are free flowing. If they are not, they will continue cleaning with their tools to ensure the rainwater can pass through your gutters without any obstructions. They will also use their specialized tools to clear out any moss growing in your gutters, restoring and reviving the external look of your guttering and your home.

Prevents Pests

When gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs and standing water, they become ideal habitats for pests. From mosquitoes and termites to ants, rodents and birds, these organisms find shelter in damp, stagnant environments where they can lay eggs and raise young. Clogged gutters can also encourage the growth of mold and mildew, which is harmful to your family’s health.

Gutter cleaning removes these contaminants and allows rainwater to flow freely, preventing pests from using the gutter as a home. It’s essential to make gutter cleaning a regular household chore, especially during the spring and autumn. The best way to do this is to use a ladder, gloves and a scoop or hire a professional to clean your gutters for you.

Another preventive measure you can take is to trim overhanging tree branches, which will reduce the amount of debris that ends up in your gutters. This is important as overhanging branches can act as a highway for pests, allowing them to enter your home and cause damage.

Clogged gutters can also attract wildlife, such as birds and squirrels. Birds are drawn to these conditions because they offer protection from the elements and a good spot for building nests. However, their droppings are a nuisance and can pose a health risk if they come into contact with food or water. If the clogged gutters are close to your roof, then they can also be an easy access point for rodents, who tunnel through snow covered gutters in the winter.

Keeping your gutters clog-free will prevent the proliferation of these organisms and reduce the likelihood of infestations, which can cost you in terms of money and time. In addition, regular gutter maintenance will allow your home to function properly and reduce the risks of structural damage to your house. It is a small investment that will go a long way in preventing major problems with pests, water damage and more. Gutter cleaning is an easy and effective preventative measure that should be considered a part of every homeowner’s routine. Contact Chorbie today to discuss your gutter care needs.

Prevents Damage to Your Home

Gutters are designed to channel water away from the foundation of your house and walls, but they can’t do this if they’re full of leaves, twigs, and other debris. Over time, clogged gutters can cause a host of problems that range from basement flooding to mold growth and more. Gutter cleaning prevents these issues by ensuring that the water in your home’s gutter system is properly draining.

In addition to helping you avoid costly and damaging issues, gutter cleaning can also enhance your home’s curb appeal. Overgrown trees, rusting gutters, and standing water can all make your home look unkempt, which may reduce its value if you ever want to sell it. Gutter cleaning removes these issues and ensures that your home looks its best at all times.

While climbing a ladder to clean your gutters might seem like a cost-effective weekend project, it can be dangerous if you don’t have the proper experience. Falling from a ladder is not only painful, but it can also be deadly. Gutter cleaning professionals have the tools and experience necessary to complete the job safely and efficiently.

Aside from the obvious physical dangers of falling from a ladder, gutter cleaning can lead to other health and safety risks. Standing water and rotting organic material can encourage the growth of mold, mildew, and other allergens that can affect your family’s health. In addition, if the water in your gutters freezes and expands, it can tear your roof’s shingles apart.

Gutter cleaning is a vital part of maintaining your home, but it’s not something that you should attempt on your own. If you’re not comfortable using a ladder or don’t have the time to devote to this task, hire a professional. A quality gutter cleaning service will have a variety of ladders in different heights and styles, so they’ll be able to reach even the highest parts of your gutters. They’ll also be familiar with local safety regulations, so you can rest assured that the job will be completed correctly and safely. In addition, they’ll be able to recommend the optimal cleaning schedule based on your home’s needs and the conditions in your area.