As a homeowner, you rely on your gutters to divert rainwater away from the house, making them essential components. Keeping your gutters clean and in the proper condition helps protect your home from water damage. Continue reading to learn all you need to know about rain gutter maintenance.
Most Common Gutter Maintenance Problems and How To Address Them
Along with poor or insufficient maintenance, harsh weather conditions can lead to numerous gutter problems you must address quickly.
Clogging
Clogged gutters are a common issue for homeowners. Leaves, small branches, and other debris can build up in the gutter, eventually impeding proper water flow.
You can scoop out the debris if you notice clogging in your horizontal gutters. Clogging in the downspout may require you to remove the section and use a snake to clear the path.
Sagging
Loose gutters may begin to sag and fail to transport water away from the home. This often indicates the need for replacement hangers or brackets.
Leaking
Cracks, holes, and poor connections are all causes of leaking gutters. You’ll likely need to replace your gutters to prevent water damage.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
In general, we recommend cleaning your rain gutters twice a year. However, depending on your home, you may need to give your gutters more or less attention.
For example, you likely don’t need to clean often if your home has a metal roof. Metal roofing typically collects less debris than asphalt, meaning the gutters won’t clog as frequently. However, you may need to clean more frequently if your home is surrounded by trees, as leaves and twigs are more prevalent.
Those with older homes should clean their gutters three to five times per year to prevent costly water damage.
Essential Rain Gutter Maintenance Tips
If you choose to handle your gutter maintenance, below are some essential tips to remember.
Safety
Safety should always be your priority when maintaining your gutters. A steady ladder, durable work gloves, safety goggles, and non-slip shoes help protect your body and prevent accidents. If your gutters are near any power lines or more than a story high, it’s best to trust the job to professionals.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
While the general rule of thumb is to clean your gutters twice a year, more frequent cleaning helps the gutters and your home’s exterior last longer. Spray nozzles and a garden hose are effective for thorough gutter cleaning.
Clearing Your Roof
Much of the debris that makes its way into gutters initially lands on the roof. When cleaning your gutters, use a rake or leaf blower to clear your roof.
Get Rid of Insects and Rodents
Many pests like making their homes inside gutters and can eventually infest your house. If you see any insects or rodents, call pest control experts to remove them.
Hire Professional Gutter Cleaners
Hiring professional gutter cleaners may be your best option for maintaining gutters without worrying about the risks, time, or effort.
Benefits of Gutter Maintenance
Regular guttering maintenance has several benefits, the most important of which is that it helps prevent costly water damage to your home. Because well-kept gutters are less likely to present leaks and other issues, they can save you hundreds or even thousands on expensive home repairs.
Maintaining your gutters also promotes healthier home living for you and your family. Eliminating mold and pests effectively reduces potential health risks.
Regularly working on your gutters keeps your home’s exterior in better condition. You’ll have a more attractive home with increased curb appeal, which can result in higher value.
DIY Gutter Maintenance vs. Hiring a Professional
Maintaining your gutters is clearly less expensive than hiring a professional. Plus, it doesn’t require you to schedule an appointment. However, that doesn’t mean going DIY is the better option.
When you hire professionals, you avoid the risk of injury, don’t have to take time out of your day, and won’t need to worry about whether you’ve maintained your gutters properly. Trained experts can safely provide service, and their experience gives them a better sense of how to offer effective maintenance.
Further, professionals use equipment you may not have to ensure your gutters function and last longer. They can even recommend and install gutter guards to prevent clogging.
Looking for Reliable Professional Gutter Cleaners? Contact the Evergreen Team!
Reliable, professional gutter cleaners are your solution for effective gutter maintenance. Call Evergreen Window Cleaning today to get a free quote! Contact us via our convenient online form or call our team.
