Why should you get your gutters cleaned?

Clogged gutters, caused by debris buildup, can make it difficult to effectively drain rainwater and, in the long term, can cause costly and preventable damage to your property.

Gutter cleaning

is the process of removing debris that accumulates inside the gutters, to ensure the free circulation of water to the downspout. We recommend cleaning gutters twice a year to avoid risks of water damage. Water damage from gutters that have not been maintained can occur both inside and outside the home.

When you don't clean the gutters, the downspout can become clogged with leaves, debris, or any matter that may end up there. This blockage then allows the standing water to build up and eventually overflow. One of the most common problems we see with clogged gutters is the addition of small bugs and unwanted guests. As gutters become clogged with organic material and debris (such as leaves, twigs, and berries from nearby trees), insects and pests can begin to accumulate in the area.

If rainwater stays in a gutter for too long, the gutter will soon become home to rats, mosquitoes, termites, and other pests near your home. Cleaning a gutter system involves removing leaves, debris, and other buildup, as well as checking fixtures and connections to see if repairs are needed. Once the gutters build up mold, you'll need to hire a professional to maintain the gutters, as removing mold is not a DIY project. Ants and termites are also happy to hide in debris piles, so by keeping gutters clean, you also ensure that they aren't a welcome addition to your home.

It's important to buy quality covers and screens if you want to effectively limit the need for gutter maintenance, says Gerry Murray, owner of Gutter Covers of Indiana in Indianapolis. If you don't want to invest in a maintenance staff to handle gutter cleaning for you, you can try it yourself. Having a professional responsible for cleaning gutters is especially important for those with roofs that have large slopes and several floors. It may seem like a small detail compared to potential cracked foundations, but a clean gutter system can save the lawn.

Fallen gutters, clogged downspouts, and other gutter system problems can quickly build up and damage your gutter system. For gutter cleaning in Vancouver, where it rains most of the year, you may need to do it more often, especially if your home is next to trees that move frequently. Broken gutters can cause the same type of damage to the home as dirty gutters and will need to be replaced before well-maintained systems. Free-flowing gutters and downspouts keep water moving and prevent it from freezing in the roof and gutters.

Cleaning and cleaning both downspouts and gutters is a very important part of routine home maintenance. Gutters that receive proper maintenance and cleaning can last 20 to 50 years, depending on the material used.