Gutter care is easy to overlook as a homeowner, especially since it’s not the most enjoyable afternoon pastime. People often put off cleaning the gutters or forget about it until it is too late.
However, for a secure and long-lasting home, keeping your gutters clean is crucial. Failure to do so can result in severe and costly headaches. While the effort may be inconvenient for a few hours, it is definitely worth it in the long term. Asking yourself the question “when should I clean my gutters?” Is something you should be asking 1-2 times a year.
Also read: Effective Marketing Strategies That Every Business Needs
Gutter neglect can result in a variety of problems with your roof, house exterior, and even your driveway. That is why it is critical to understand when and how often to clean your gutters in order to avoid disaster. Click here for gutter cleaning and repair services.
What happens if your gutters aren’t cleaned?
Everything can appear to be great when it comes to gutters—until it isn’t. When you neglect your gutter, the years quickly mount up, and you realise you have a major problem on your hands. It may be too late, and you’ll have to replace the gutter entirely, depending on the extent of the damage.
But there is still hope! You can avoid reaching that point by understanding the potential implications of not completing this task.
Leakage
When you don’t clear your gutters, the downspout might become clogged with leaves, trash, and other material. As a result of the barrier, standing water collects and finally overflows.
Mould
The leaves that clog your gutter can begin to deteriorate and eventually rot if left unchecked. Mould will develop and thrive in a rainy climate, such as the Pacific Northwest, leaving the exterior of your gutter discoloured and dirty. Even worse, if this mould gets into your home, it can cause a plethora of health issues, and getting rid of it is both costly and bothersome.
Roof Defects
You may not understand that failing to maintain your gutters might lead to the need to replace your entire roof, which is neither simple nor inexpensive. Rainwater has nowhere to go but overflow or soak through your shingles and pour into your home when your gutters are clogged. As a result, your shingles become softened and considerably damaged, allowing additional rainwater loss.
Rainwater can also cause the gutter to rip and cause damage to your roof. You’d have to replace not only your roof and gutters, but you might also have to deal with water damage inside your home.
Destroying a Driveway
Another unintended consequence of a clogged gutter is that it can cause damage to your driveway and yard. Excess water can pool in areas with inadequate drainage, causing mould to form on your driveway. That water might freeze and turn to ice in the winter, causing severe slips and falls.
While any of these scenarios may scare you, remember that you’re still ahead of the game. Now that you know what can happen if you don’t maintain your gutters, you can learn how to recognise damage.
How can I clean my gutters without a ladder?
Another question you might ask is how can I clean my gutters without a ladder?”
Leaf blower
A leaf blower is one of the best and easiest ways to remove leaves out of gutters.
To reach the gutter, make sure you have the nozzle attachment and extension. Stand on the ground near a corner where one end of the gutter is. Turn on the leaf blower nozzle slightly above the gutter to blow leaves and debris away. Work your way to the opposite end of the room.
Power Washer
If you don’t have a leaf blower, you can clean your gutters with a power washer. To clean the gutters, use the power washer in the same way you would a leaf blower. Expect to get wet, though. You should also be cautious because the strong water pressure may cause harm to some materials. Consider power-washing your complete home’s exteriors while you’re at it!
Vacuum Cleaner
Try using a wet/dry vacuum as an alternative for clearing debris from your gutters. Standing on the ground, your local home improvement store is likely to have the hoses and curved attachments you’ll need to reach the clogged gutters.
Conclusion
So, how often should your gutters be cleaned? Gutter inspections should be done at least twice a year, in the spring and fall, according to most pros.
If you reside in a city where the winter temperatures drop below freezing, your first worry should be inspecting your gutters immediately before winter to prevent any water blockages from freezing and causing roof damage.
People also read: 3 Reasons Why Email DLP is Important for Businesses
