Gutter maintenance is important for the health of your home. To avoid major repairs, you will need to keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance of your home’s gutter system. We have gathered the most common questions for proper house gutter maintenance:
Q: Why should I clean my gutters?
A: Firstly, gutters that aren’t clear will not properly direct the water away from your home. Second, clogged gutters can lead to moisture damage in the form of mold and rot to your home’s siding and roof. Finally, cracked foundations will lead to basement leaks as well as other problems.
Q: When should I clean my gutters?
A: Obviously, we suggest not waiting till your gutters fill up. A regular cleaning schedule will make sure your gutters are flowing properly. We suggest spring and fall after the leaves have fallen. When you adhere to a twice a year schedule rainwater will keep water flowing and will not damage your home.
Q: Are there any ways of keeping my gutters from filling up to the point of getting clogged up?
A: Clearly, we have the perfect solution. Install gutter guards. Gutter guards help keep leaves, sticks and debris from clogging gutters and downspouts. There is an upfront investment but in the end, gutter guards will save time and money. In addition, gutter guards minimize upkeep and will protect against damage to your structure.
Q: If I do not maintain my gutters what is the damage that may occur?
A: Here are just a few examples. Roof damage, wall damage inside and out, foundation, basement and landscape damage.
Roof Damage: Roof damage from clogged gutters and downspouts claim millions yearly in insurance claim damage. Clogged gutters back up allowing water to cascade over the top both in front and in back of the gutter. Roof sheating can wick moisture to the point of creating much damage.
Wall Damage: Rain water flowing down the outside wall from clogged gutters has the potential of creating mold and rot within the wall cavity. Mold can have and most times has a distinctive “aroma” and should be an alarm to the homeowner that something is not right.
Foundation Damage: We have seen rain water splashing on the ground from clogged gutters destroy foundations. When water has no where to go, it will follow the path of least resistance. This usually means it will go into the crawl space or basement creating rot, mold and foundation problems.
Landscape Damage: Spilling rain water from clogged gutters will pound on flower beds and surrounding shrubs. This usually means the planting beds around clogged gutters will be ruined. Top soil begins to erode and the grade of the landscape begins to pitch back toward the house.
Q: So, how can I keep my gutters and downspouts from getting clogged?
A: As stated earlier, gutter guards are a great option for keeping gutters clear. No guards will keep your gutters 100% clear. However, it has been our experience through our ongoing test results that guards help way more than they hinder. Furthermore, adhering to at least a twice a year cleaning will go a long way to keeping your home healthy. Remember, proper gutter maintenance for home health.
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