HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS?

Gutter cleaning is an afterthought for most homeowners. It’s easier to tackle home projects you can see; with gutters, the most serious side effects of neglect stay concealed... until it’s too late. Below, we’ll walk you through gutter system management, best practices in gutter care, and how to know when it’s time to replace your gutters!

WHY DO I NEED TO GET MY GUTTERS CLEANED?

During seasonal transitions, your home’s gutter system is on overload. Airborne debris like pollen, leaves, and other organic matter all come to rest on your roof — which ultimately leads to your gutter system. Rainwater, wind, and simply your roof’s slope can all drive build-up in your gutters, which can begin decomposing. If not flushed out regularly, trapped debris can become impacted; as more and more leaves pile on, this can completely overwhelm your gutter system.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CLEAN MY GUTTERS?

Every season — or four times per year — it’s a good idea to schedule a gutter inspection and cleaning with a trusted contractor. Inspections check for any holes, deterioration, or rot; depending on the material of your gutter system, rain water and constant exposure can erode the coating, leaving the underlying metal vulnerable to rust and further corrosion. This often results in holes in your gutter system.

ARE HOLES IN GUTTERS BAD FOR YOUR HOME?

Holes can be incredibly damaging; gutter systems are created specifically to optimize water run-off so that it doesn’t damage your home’s exterior, foundation, or landscaping. Any re-routing of water flow, therefore, completely undermines the system’s structure, resulting in water damage in unexpected places.

WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY GUTTERS?

Hopefully, you have a trusted contractor keeping tabs on both your roof and gutter system. That way, any damage is caught early and repaired quickly. Your contractor will be able to evaluate your system, and will tell you when it’s time to replace your gutters – they can point out specific damage spots to you, and help you better understand how misdirected water will affect your specific home. If you’ve been neglecting your gutters for a significant amount of time, you can tell whether your gutter system is outdated if there are visible sags, cracks, breaks, or even missing pieces entirely.

Ultimately, gutters aren’t meant to last forever, and eventually all home exterior components need to be replaced. With the right care and routine maintenance and repairs, a trusted contractor can help you extend the life of your gutter system, prevent damage to your home, and save you money in the long run!