How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t pay much attention
to your gutters… That is, until a there’s a torrential downpour and water is
flowing over them and creating huge puddles around your house, and water from
those puddles starts seeping into your foundation.
The fact is, gutters are an extremely important feature of your home.
They prevent situations just like the one described above – and other serious
problems – that can cause major destruction and cost thousands of dollars to
repair. Gutters protect your house from issues like:
Foundation damage
Flooding
Infestations of pests
Mold
Damaged siding
Rot and rust
Landscape damage
So, you see, while it may not seem like gutters do much, in reality,
they do a whole lot. Made of metal (typically aluminum), gutters are positioned
in a horizontal fashion on the outer edges of your home’s roof. Water that
pours off of your roof collects in the gutters, and that water then flows into
downspouts, which direct it away from the foundation of your home.
If the gutters are installed properly and clear, the water will flow
effortlessly into the downspouts; however, when they’re obstructed, runoff
water will pool in the gutters, and that’s when you run into problems – that’s
why cleaning them is so important.
What Clogs Gutters
Basically, anything that’s above your house and falls can get stuck in
the gutters. Twigs, leaves, dirt, and debris are some of the most common causes
of clogs. However, things that are swept up in the wind can also make their way
into your gutters, such as plastic bags. Birds, squirrels, and other critters
can also cause problems. They see them as safe spots where that offer
protection and can build nests in them.
How Often Should Gutters be Cleaned
It really depends on where you live; however, the general
recommendation is twice a year: in the spring and fall. These seasons are the
height of falling debris from trees; they’re also prime nest-building seasons
for critters.
If you have a lot of trees around your home, you might want to consider
cleaning your gutters more frequently. gutter cleaning near me
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