Since gutters are at the top of your house and out of sight, they’re easy to neglect. New homeowners should know the importance of keeping your gutters clean to prevent blocked gutters, which can lead to serious issues like leaky roofs and basement flooding. Cleaning gutters means a well-kept and functioning home. It may easily become a task that you tend to ignore or push off, but doing so comes at a cost.
Learn how and why to keep your gutters clean now so that you can maintain the appearance and quality of your new home. Cleaning them regularly will save you money and headaches down the road. Letting debris build up in your gutters could lead to pests, mold, leaks, and structural damage to your new home.
In this article, we’ll cover the reasons to clean gutters regularly and the tips you should follow when cleaning gutters.
Anytime it snows or rains, your gutters collect all of that precipitation that falls from the sky. Your gutters are there to direct that water away from settling at the foundation of your home. When water collects at the home’s foundation, it finds it’s way into your home.
Gutters use a rerouting design to keep the precipitation from entering at the roof line of your house. When your gutters fail, major structural damage can happen to your roof and anywhere else where the water comes in contact.
When gutters become blocked with debris, water is unable to move along the path of the gutter. When water gets stuck and the temperature drops, the water has the potential to freeze. This causes extra damage to your gutter. Therefore, it is crucial to flush gutters annually to clear away accumulated debris and prevent blockages.
Clogged gutters are not just a nuisance for your home’s drainage system; they can also become a breeding ground for various pests. When debris such as leaves, twigs, and dirt accumulate in your gutters, it creates an inviting environment for unwanted guests like rats, insects, and even birds. These pests are drawn to the moisture and shelter provided by clogged gutters, and once they settle in, they can cause significant damage to your property.
Rats and mice, for example, can use blocked gutters as a pathway to enter your home, leading to potential infestations inside. Insects such as mosquitoes and termites thrive in the stagnant water and decaying organic matter found in neglected gutters. Additionally, birds may build nests in the debris, further exacerbating the blockage and causing water to overflow.
Clogged gutters can become a breeding ground for mold, which thrives in damp, neglected areas. When debris accumulates in your gutter system, it traps moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold to develop. This mold not only affects the appearance of your home but can also lead to severe health issues and degrade your property’s value.
Mold buildup can spread quickly, affecting the structural integrity of your home and leading to costly repairs. It can also infiltrate your home’s interior, causing respiratory problems and allergies for you and your family. By regularly cleaning your gutters, you ensure that water can flow freely, reducing moisture buildup and preventing mold growth.
If you’re choosing to handle the job without a professional, you’ll need some equipment to clean your gutters the right way. Here are some tips on what to use for cleaning the gutter:
Once you know what to use and have your ladder set up, it’s time to get started with cleaning your gutters.
Cleaning gutters can be a hazardous task, especially when done improperly. To ensure your safety while cleaning gutters, follow these essential tips:
By following these safety tips, you can minimize the risks associated with gutter cleaning and ensure a safe and successful cleaning experience.
Now that you have the proper tools at the ready, it’s time to start cleaning gutters. Follow these easy steps below to get the job done.
Set your ladder at the end of your gutter on the side opposite to the downspout. Climb to the top of the latter and have your spotter give you the garden hose. Run a stream of water through the garden hose to see where debris is collecting in the gutter and if any blockages exist.
Use a shovel, your hands since you’ll wear gloves, or garden trowel to scoop out all the leaves, dirt, and debris from your gutter onto your drop cloth that’s positioned below your ladder. Make sure you don’t get any on whoever is holding your extension ladder.
Once you’re done scooping out debris from your gutter, run some water from the hose to spot where any damages or existing leaks are present. Make not of any trouble areas in your gutters to be fixed later.
Climb down from your ladder and move it to the next section of your gutters. Work in the direction of the downspout. Repeat steps one through three for every section until your gutters are clear of all debris.
This is a very time-consuming task, but the importance of gutter cleaning can’t be stressed enough. Plus, once you’ve gotten into the habit of cleaning gutters, it will be much less painless to execute.
In some instances, your roof may be too high or gutters too lengthy to make this seem worth doing yourself. Feel free to use professional cleaning services if gutter cleaning is not worth your time and effort.
While cleaning gutters can be a DIY task, hiring a professional gutter cleaning service can provide numerous benefits, including:
By investing in professional gutter cleaning services, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your gutters are clean, functional, and protected.
Gutter guards are an effective solution to prevent clogged gutters and ensure proper drainage. Here’s what you need to know about gutter guard installation and maintenance:
By investing in gutter guard installation and maintenance, you can enjoy a hassle-free gutter system that ensures proper drainage and protects your home’s foundation and exterior.
As you can see, cleaning your gutters is vital to protecting the integrity of your home. Keep your gutters clean by pulling out a ladder at least twice a year. If you live in an area close to more trees and other elements, you’ll need to add gutter cleaning to your to do list more often.
If you have a tall roof, and pulling out your ladder for gutter cleaning is too much of a hassle, you can always use a professional service instead. Cleaning the gutter is something you should be doing as a homeowner throughout the year. By doing so, your gutter and your home’s property value will thank you.
