Clogged gutters can cause damage to your roof, landscaping, and even your home’s foundation. Gutter cleaning can help prevent these problems. To perform this task you’ll need a ladder that is suitable for the height of your home and a scooping tool (such as a garden trowel or your child’s toy shovel). You’ll also need a bucket and a hose to flush the debris. Visit Website to learn more.
A gutter that is clogged can lead to water overflow and if the overflow is not addressed it can eventually cause water damage to your home and its contents. The purpose of a gutter system is to direct rainwater from the roof and away from the house but it can’t do this effectively if it is blocked by leaves, branches and other debris. Gutter cleaning is one of the most important regular home maintenance tasks a homeowner can perform to help protect their property and prevent costly repairs.
One of the main reasons why people put off cleaning their gutters is that it is a dangerous job, particularly if done incorrectly. This is because you will need to stand on a ladder and this can be very dangerous if not done correctly. Each year thousands of people are treated for ladder-related injuries and some even die.
To minimize the risk of falling off a ladder while cleaning your gutters, be sure to take several precautions. Always wear work gloves and a good quality pair of safety glasses. These will protect your hands from dirt, bacteria and rotting leaf debris that is often contaminated with rodent, pigeon and bird feces. The safety glasses will also protect your eyes from the many sharp bits of metal, twigs and leaves that may fall off the gutter.
Ladder safety is also a big issue when cleaning your gutters as you will need to be able to stand on the ladder with both feet and at least one hand on it at all times. This will help you keep your balance and avoid falling off the ladder or getting caught in the middle and tumbling to the ground. It’s also a good idea to place a tarp underneath your workspace to catch the gunk that will fall from the gutter.
Once you have removed all the debris from your gutters, be sure to wash down the downspouts with a garden hose. This will ensure that there are no blockages and that the downspout is working properly to drain the water away from your home. If the water is not flowing freely through the downspout it’s a good idea to use a plumber’s snake to remove any obstructions.
Prevent Damage
Gutter cleaning removes the debris that builds up on your roof and surrounding walls. If this is left unchecked, it can lead to rot and the need for costly repair. Gutter cleaning also prevents water damage by ensuring that rainwater is funneled away from the foundation of your home. Without proper drainage, your basement can become infested with mold and mildew which can wreak havoc on furnishings and other belongings housed there. Gutter cleaning minimizes this risk by keeping your gutters clear of leaves, twigs and other debris.
A clogged gutter can cause overflow and leakage which, in turn, puts an unnecessary strain on your roof. The extra weight of water and ice can damage your roof materials, as well as causing leaks in the walls of your home. Regular gutter cleaning will keep your roof in good condition and extend its lifespan.
Debris that builds up in a clogged gutter provides a breeding ground for pests such as rats, mice, mosquitoes and birds. These pests can spread deadly diseases such as the West Nile Virus. Debris that is left unchecked can also break down to encourage the growth of tree seedlings, fungi and other plants. Gutter cleaning will eliminate these breeding grounds and keep your home pest-free.
Regular gutter cleaning can improve your home’s curb appeal. Clogged gutters overflow and spill over the sides, creating a messy, unsightly look that can detract from your property’s appearance. A professional clean will eliminate this problem and leave your gutters looking as good as new.
While this might not be the most obvious reason to get your gutters cleaned, it’s a vital one. When pollen and other allergens are blowing around in the spring, they can find their way into your gutter and begin to grow. This will not only make your allergies worse, but it will also feed the plant life that is growing in your gutter. Gutter cleaning will ensure that your gutters are free of all allergens and that no seeds are being planted which could result in invasive plants spreading to other parts of your yard.
Save Time
Gutter cleaning is not a fast task, particularly when clogs are present. Some factors can increase the cleaning time including:
The type of gutters – Gutters with more debris such as leaves, sticks, and moss require longer cleaning times than clean or empty gutters.
Amount of Debris – Heavy clogs take longer to clear than light clogs. Downspouts that are packed with gunk also add to the overall cleaning time as they need to be cleaned out and redirected to optimize water flow. Weather Conditions – Working in rain, wind or extreme cold makes the job more difficult and slow as ladders need to be secured, stabilized and repositioned to reach new areas. Location – A multistory home requires more ladder work and safety rigging than a single-story house. Proximity to power lines or other obstructions can also impact how quickly a job is completed.
Keeping gutters clean prevents a number of issues from arising that cost money to repair or resolve. For example, a clogged gutter can overflow and dump water onto flower beds, shrubs, and other greenery around your property that may need to be replaced. Additionally, moisture and mold that build up in your gutters can cause costly and permanent damage to your home’s structure, and even health issues for you and your family if the mould is toxic.
While hiring a professional may seem like a costly expense, it’s much less expensive than dealing with the consequences of neglecting your gutters. Consider the financial benefits of avoiding costly repairs and health concerns by investing in gutter maintenance now and scheduling cleaning services twice a year.
Save Money
Gutter cleaning can be expensive, especially if you have to hire professionals to do the job. However, the cost of getting gutters cleaned regularly is less than the repair costs that can result from not cleaning them. Gutters are designed to direct water away from the roof and foundation, but clogged gutters can cause significant problems to both. If the water is allowed to overflow, the roof can develop mold and rot, while the foundation can crack and crumble. Even if the water doesn’t overflow, it can cause other damage such as erosion and run-off that can wash away landscaping and destroy trees.
Clogged gutters can also cause damage to the home’s siding and the roof, which means that you will have to spend money to repair them. In addition, clogged gutters can create water seepage in the basement or behind the home’s siding that can cause drywall to become rotted and even moldy. Regular gutter cleanings will keep water from flowing down the side of the house and causing these costly issues.
It is recommended that homeowners have their gutters cleaned at least two to three times per year in order to keep them working properly. Many companies offer seasonal pricing, with discounts during off-seasons when there isn’t as much demand for their services. Some companies also offer annual contracts that can help homeowners save money on their gutter cleaning costs over time.
Another way to save on gutter cleaning costs is to take advantage of discounts and coupons offered by many different companies. These discounts can often be found in local newspapers or on coupon sites like Groupon and Living Social. Some companies may also offer a discount for customers who refer friends or neighbors to them.
Before you decide to do your gutter cleaning yourself, make sure that you check a company’s website and other reviews online to ensure that they are reputable and have good customer service. In addition, it is important to ask a company about their liability insurance in case someone gets injured while they are on your property. If a company doesn’t have liability insurance, you should find a different gutter cleaning company to work with.
