Keeping gutters clean is dirty work. It is necessary dirty work that should happen often in order to keep a home or establishment in great condition. All kinds of dirt, debris, dead leaves and even birds’ nests can clog a gutter. Owning your own home or business comes with the responsibility to keep the gutters clean and functioning properly. You may have already asked yourself, “How often should I clean my gutters?”
Keeping gutters clean is smart. Did you know that clogged gutters are actually the #1 reason basements have water problems? Without proper drainage for your property water can collect on the ground and on homes and buildings and cause significant damage that can be expensive to fix.
Luckily, rain gutters can solve that problem. The gutters most people are familiar with now were invented in the early part of the 20th century. Different types of gutters for commercial and residential use include barbie gutters, copper gutters, aluminum gutters, seamless gutters, steel gutters, half round gutters and many other types. No matter the type of guttering you want or need, it is always wise to let the professionals install them for you. You can also ask them, “How often should I clean my gutters?”
How Often SHOULD I Clean My Gutters?
As mentioned, the question “How often should I clean my gutters?” is actually quite common. Gutters are easy to forget about because they are seen every day and tend to blend into a building or home. However, gutters can accumulate a lot of unwanted debris and overflow during a big rain. Chances are, you won’t notice that either until it is too late.
The answer for “How often should I clean my gutters?” actually depends. Gutter cleaning experts recommend that gutters are cleaned twice annually, in the late spring and in the late summer, early fall. It all depends on your environmental surroundings too. If you have a lot of trees around your property, gutters need to be inspected and cleaned almost every three months. Trees, especially pine trees, tend to shed leaves or needles year-round. Those need to be removed from your gutters so they function properly.
Do you live at a higher elevation? If so, ice is a worry for your gutters. Even during the winter, you need to make sure your gutters stay clean and free of ice. It is always better to let the professionals handle gutter cleaning for you. They have the experience, knowledge, skills and equipment needed to handle the job safely.
What Happens If Gutters Are Not Cleaned?
It may seem like your gutters will be fine if they are not cleaned. However, a lot can happen if you do not keep them clean. One of the first things you may notice is that they leak.
Leaky gutters cause mold to grow too. This can also affect downspouts and make water stand and collect due to overflowing. When dead leaves compose, because your gutters have not been cleaned, the collected water become filthy and mold starts growing. This happens the most in wet climates and can host a bevy of nasty health problems. Stop the growth of mold before it can ever start.
Roof replacements are expensive. Gutters play a vital role in making sure your roof stays functional longer. Cleaning gutters keeps roofs from leaking by allowing water to drain from a roof properly. Otherwise rain tends to soak through shingles and causes significant damage that only grows worse over time and can lead to a roof replacement that’s expensive.
The same goes for basements. Clogged gutters with clogged downspouts can cause water to collect in a basement. Water should filter through gutters and drain far from any structure, at least six to ten feet away, as recommended. Water that stays too close to an establishment can seep into a basement. Anything stored in the basement stands the chance of being ruined including furnaces, circuit breakers and other types of utilities.
