Why Cleaning Your Gutters Routinely is Important

It can be easy to overlook just how much gutters do to protect your building. Channeling water away might seem like a simple and routine function, but your gutter system provides proper drainage for rain and snow and protects your roof, walls and foundation from water damage.

When gutters are working properly, we hardly notice them at all, but when they become rusted, leaky, or blocked, they can be a major headache. This is why it is important to perform routine cleaning and maintenance of your gutters and downspouts, and even restore them if necessary.

You may not realize it, but cleaning your gutters is important to the overall health of your home. If left neglected, serious water-related issues can occur, such as:

Foundation damage
Structural issues
Fascia and soffit rot
Mold and mildew
Basement flooding
Decorative trim damage
Roof damage

Seasonal Threats to Gutters

Your gutters face a variety of hazards all year round. Here are some seasonal pitfalls to guard against.

Spring

Heavy, wet spring snows can weaken joints and seams, and fluctuating temperatures can cause freeze-thaw cycles that widen seams and gaps. Accumulated dirt and debris from fall and winter can cause blockages.

Summer

Persistent or heavy rainfall can leak through compromised seams. Water exposure can lead to rust.

Fall

Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and result in blockages, which can lead to rust and water accumulation on the roof.

Winter

Freezing temperatures can lead to ice accumulation, which can compromise seams. Freeze-thaw cycles can exacerbate damage from built-up ice. Persistent freezing temperatures can lead to ice dams, causing blockage.

Maintaining Your Gutters

Here are some ways to head off gutter damage.

Clean Regularly

The most important thing you can do to protect your gutters and downspouts is to clean them regularly to avoid blockage and moisture accumulation. For most drainage systems, this is as simple as removing gutter debris using your hands or a trowel, and flushing downspout blockages. Other systems may require more thorough cleaning methods.

Self-Clean or Hire A Pro?

When it comes time to clean gutters, many people elect to do it themselves, while others pay to have it done professionally.

While most people can adequately clean their own gutters, a professional service will use specialized equipment that cleans more effectively and typically go through a routine checklist of tasks for a meticulous clean.

Safety is another concern. Professional gutter cleaning crews have developed the dexterity required to perform this kind of work at a height and they climb ladders daily.

Hiring a professional will be quicker and more thorough. Additionally, for buildings that are especially large or tall, a professional service may be the safest way to go.

Our gutters work hard to maintain healthy drainage around our property, but they’re constantly exposed to small hazards that can wear them down over time. It’s crucial to keep drainage systems in good condition with regular maintenance and cleaning, and by addressing small damages before they become huge problems.