Guide to Gutter Cleaning 

Guide to Gutter Cleaning: Protecting Your Home from Water Damage

Keeping your home in good shape goes beyond the daily cleaning and gardening. Gutter cleaning is one of the areas of home maintenance that is not taken seriously. Gutters are important in ensuring that your home is not damaged by the rain water by channeling the rain water away to the roof and foundation. When leaves, twigs, and other debris clog your gutters, repairs can be expensive and long-term damage can occur. Gutter cleaning is part and parcel of homeowners to make sure that their gutters are in good working condition and that they do not develop issues in the future.

Why Gutter Cleaning is a Must 

Gutter cleaning is not a big job, but it can make a huge difference to the life and safety of your home.In the fall, the leaves and debris can easily clog the gutters and in the winter, the rain can cause the gutters to overflow, unless they are cleaned on a regular basis. These are the major reasons as to why gutter cleaning is important

1.Prevents Water Damage

The main job of gutters is to divert rainwater off your roof and foundation. Clogged gutters do not drain water effectively and it can spill over and cause your roof, siding, and foundation to be damaged. The overflowing water in clogged gutters may find its way into the land around your house leading to foundation cracks and even flooding in the basement.

2.Protects Landscaping

Blocked gutters can also impact your yard. Water that collects in clogged gutters can also flood gardens, wash away soil and kill plants. Keeping your gutters clear means that water is directed away from your garden beds and lawn.

3.Prevents Pest Infestations

Clogged gutters can harbor pests such as mosquitoes, ants and rodents because of the standing water. Gutters may serve as breeding areas to these pests, and this may result in infestation in and around your house. Routine cleaning of the gutter will also prevent cases of pests.

4.Avoids Ice Dams

Where there is a cold winter, ice dams may appear when water accumulates in blocked gutters. The water may freeze and form a dam which holds more water hence leading to leakages and even destruction of your home roof and walls.

5.Extends the Life of Your Roof

Gutters that overflow may make the water flow under the shingles of your roof and this may cause the roof to rot, as well as the growth of mold. By maintaining the cleanliness of your gutters, you can make sure that the water is not going to be near your roof, keeping it intact and avoiding the need to fix it.

When to Clean Your Gutters

Time is of the essence as far as gutter cleaning is concerned. The best seasons to clean your gutters are during the fall when the majority of the leaves have fallen and during spring to eliminate debris that has accumulated during winter. You might have to clean your gutters more often in case you reside in a region where there are a lot of trees or in an area close to open fields.

The following is an overview of gutter cleaning:

• Fall (September to November) Fall is the most critical period of cleaning your gutters. When leaves start falling, they may easily cause blockage of gutters and downspouts, especially during the heavy winds that are common in the area. It is important to ensure that there is no overflow by cleaning your gutters before the heavy rains begin.

• Spring (March to May) - Spring cleaning is also a major time to maintain gutter. Once the winter is over, one should remove any debris and inspect the damage that might have taken place during the colder months. Spring rains may be heavy and thus it is important to make sure that your gutters are clean and clear.

• After Storms - When you have had a bad storm or a lot of wind, it is a good idea to check your gutters and clean them out immediately. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can be blown into your gutters by storms and this may easily cause blockages.

• As Needed- In the event you observe your gutters overflowing with water during a rainstorm or you have water pooling around your home foundation, you may want to clean your gutters even though it is not the usual cleaning season.

How to Clean Your Gutters

Gutter cleaning is not a very complicated task, however, it may be risky when you are not ready or you do not feel comfortable in height. The following is a step by step procedure on how to clean your gutters:

Get Your Tools Ready

You will require a good ladder, a bucket or a bag to carry debris, gloves, a trowel or a scoop, a hose and a pair of safety goggles. In the case of multi-story houses, it is advisable to have a ladder with a stabilizer to increase safety.

Set up the Ladder Safely

You should also ensure that your ladder is always on a leveled ground and you should never attempt to overreach on the ladder. In case you have high gutters, you may want to employ the services of a professional to prevent falling.

Remove Debris

Start at the downspout and move in the direction of the other end of the gutter. Wear your gloves and scoop and get the leaves, dirt and twigs out of the gutter. Use your bucket or trash bag to put the debris away to keep the area clean.

Clean out the Gutters

Once the gutters have been cleared, flush them with a hose to get rid of any remaining dirt and smaller debris. Ensure that the downspouts are not clogged with water. In case of improper drainage of water, the downspouts might be blocked and require cleaning.

Inspect Damage

During cleaning, you should check the gutters to see whether they are worn out, i.e. cracks, holes, or sagging. In case you detect any damage, fix it right away to avoid more problems.

Clean Downspouts

In case the downspouts are blocked, unblock them with the help of a hose or a plumber snake. Broomstick can also be used to push the debris down the downspout.

Professional Gutter Cleaning Services

Although cleaning gutters is a task that you can do on your own, employing a professional gutter cleaning company will save you time, energy and possible danger. The following are the advantages of employing a professional:

• Safety: Professionals are equipped and experienced to clean gutters in a safe way, which minimizes the chances of being injured.

• Professional Cleaning: A professional will see that all the debris is removed, downspouts are cleared and the gutters are working.

• Inspection: A professional gutter cleaner will be able to detect the possible issues, including damage or wear, which may require repair.

• Time-Saving: Cleaning gutters can be time consuming and in case of multi-story houses even more so. The job can be done fast and effectively by the professionals.

• Regular Maintenance: There are companies that provide regular gutter cleaning services and you can arrange to have your gutters cleaned regularly to ensure that they are in good shape at all times.

Choosing the Right Gutter Cleaning Service

When you get a gutter cleaning service, ensure that you get a company that is:

• Licensed and Insured: This is to ensure that the cleaning company is fully insured in case of any accidents or damages that might arise during cleaning.

• First hand: Choose a company that has a good reputation and service reviews.

• Affordable: Ask the company to provide a free estimate so that you can be able to know that the company has competitive rates.

• Reliable and Prompt: Choose a company that can be contacted when you require their services especially during or after a heavy rainstorm when the gutter system requires attention the most.

Conclusion

Cleaning the gutter is an essential aspect of taking care of your house. Cleaning your gutters can be done by yourself or by a professional, but having your gutters clear of debris will save your home and landscaping the damage caused by water, save your landscaping, and keep pests out of your home. Regularly cleaning your gutters, and checking them to see whether they are damaged or not will help you to prolong the life of the roof and the foundation of your home and prevent you having to spend a lot of money on repairing it later.