Gutters are an essential part of a home, yet they are often overlooked. They play an important part in protecting your home from water damage, as well as helping to keep it free from pests and rodents. Keeping them cleaned, cleared and maintained is an important part of keeping your home healthy and looking aesthetically nice.
Regular gutter cleaning should be a part of any home’s year-round maintenance schedule and is something that you can do yourself, or hire a professional gutter cleaning service which can do the work while you do something else, for example, “The Best Landscaping Service“, located in Macomb County, Michigan.
There are several reasons why you would want to clean your home’s gutters, or have them cleaned. These reasons are mentioned below.
Prevent Water Damage
The main purpose of home gutters is to direct rain water that falls onto the roof of a home and direct it away from your home, in particular away from the side of your home and away from the foundation of your home. Clogged gutters can lead to your home being damaged by that rain water. This can lead to water pooling near the home’s foundation that can seep into basements or crawlspaces, this can cause cracks, mold growth and even cause structural instability of your home.
Gutters can become clogged with debris, leaves, dirt and other items. Regularly cleaning them can prevent all or most of these problems before they begin.
Gutters Protect Your Roof
Clogged gutters can trap rain water on your roof, which can lead to rot, leaks, mold and damage to the roofing materials. Over time, standing water can weaken shingles, cause wood to decay and create an environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Keeping your home’s gutters clean will allow water to flow freely, reducing the likelihood of these problems arising in the first place.
Prevent Pest Infestations
Gutters that are full of debris, leaves, twigs and dirt and stagnant water can be breeding grounds for all kinds of pests such as mosquitos, rodents, birds and insects like termites. These pests can not only damage your home’s gutters, they can also do damage to your home, including the roof and foundation.
Regular gutter cleaning makes sure that the debris, leaves, twigs and dirt and stagnant water that gets into your gutters is cleared, helping to you to prevent any problems that they may cause and helping to keep your home pest free.
Preventing Damage To Gutters And Downspouts
Gutters that are clogged can get damaged by the weight of the trapped debris and water, which can cause them to sag, pull away from the house, or even collapse. This buildup of debris can compromise the gutter system, which can lead to relatively expensive repairs or replacements. Regular gutter cleaning can help prevent this from happening, ensuring that your home’s gutters and downspouts remain functional and structurally sound.
Enhancing Curb Appeal
Clogged or damaged gutters can lead to a home having an outwardly unsightly appearance. Gutters overflowing with debris, leaves, twigs and other items can lead to the appearance of an unkept home. Well-kept and regularly maintained gutters contribute to an aesthetically pleasing appearance of a home. A clean gutter system prevents soil erosion and damaging plants around your property.
Gutter cleaning is a small investment compared to the potential costs of repairing extensive home damage that could have been prevented. Water damage, foundation repairs, roof repairs and replacement and pest control services can be very costly. By spending either a little bit of time or a little bit of money, these costs can be avoided, while at the same time keeping your home looking aesthetically pleasing.
How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?
The timing and frequency of when you should clean or have your home’s gutters cleaned will vary with factors such as the climate where your home is located and the surrounding area, for example, is your home surrounded by a lot of trees?
Homes that are located in cold climates, for example, Michigan, will want to clean their gutters right before spring and fall, due to the falling of leaves and the oncoming freeze that comes with being located in a winter climate Michigan.
Conclusion
Cleaning your home’s gutters is a necessary part of maintaining your home’s health and keeping it looking great. By keeping your home’s gutters clear of debris and other items, you are more likely to avoid having to pay for more expensive repairs as a result and it will give you a more comfortable home to live in.