With proper maintenance, your home’s gutters can last for decades. Having a professional routinely clean your system will help you maximize its life span, combat potentially dangerous problems and protect your home. Below are the top signs your gutters need cleaning and why this practice is essential for homeowners.
Understanding the Importance of Gutter Maintenance
Dirty and clogged gutters can cause various issues, and having an expert tend to them at least once or twice annually is best. If there are trees close to your house, you may need more frequent cleaning services.
Sticking with a gutter maintenance schedule can help you protect your property value and ensure your systems are working as expected.
What Role Do Gutters Play in Home Protection?
Gutters play a functional role in your home. They have a gradual slope design, allowing them to collect rainwater and direct it away from your house’s foundation — this minimizes the risk of cracks and standing water.
However, you need to practice proper maintenance for your gutters to do their job, and a big part of that is keeping your gutters clean.
Why Does Regular Gutter Cleaning Matter?
Regular inspections and cleaning ensure your gutters function correctly to combat structural damage and prevent harmful issues on your property that could pose a health or safety threat to your family.
For example, pests of all kinds may see your gutters as the perfect place to set up their homes. Regularly clearing dirt, debris and sludge from your gutters helps you avoid pest infestations and mitigate related problems before they get out of hand.
Can You Perform Gutter Maintenance on Your Own?
It’s always a good idea to get professionals to clean your gutters rather than trying to tackle the task yourself. You should have your gutter cleaned regularly, even if you don’t see any significant issues. Proper inspections and cleaning sessions will keep your gutter in good condition so that you can get the most out of it.
Make a habit of regularly visually inspecting your gutters from a distance to see if anything is amiss — climbing a ladder or getting on your roof can be dangerous, so leave up-close inspections to the professionals. A quick look, especially during or after a rainstorm, will help you catch any issues and potential problems proactively. There are a few telltale signs your gutters need to be cleaned.
5 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters
If you notice any of the following problems, it is a good idea to get a professional out to clean your gutters:
- An overflowing gutter: An overflowing gutter is one of the most common signs of gutter neglect and a key indication your system needs a thorough cleaning. If water is spilling over the side or you notice standing water, it’s time to take action.
- Structural damage indicators: Another signal that your gutters require some cleaning is that you notice structural damage, like cracks or water stains. You might notice that your gutter is sagging or that parts of it are detached from your home, and gutter repair services may be necessary. You’ll want to proactively address these issues, and the best course of action is to get your gutter cleaned as soon as possible.
- Pest infestations: Pests are another common issue, with nearly 50% of homeowners experiencing significant damage due to these infestations. If you notice insects, rodents or nesting materials near your gutters, play it safe and arrange to have them cleaned.
- Mold or mildew: If the water from your roof has nowhere to go and sets in your gutters, mold or mildew growth is likely. Black or green streaks on your home’s exterior walls could indicate these issues, as can musty odors, especially if they are close to your gutters.
- Plant growth: Plants in your gutter can affect your system’s effectiveness. Iif you notice any growth, you should arrange a cleaning to remove them.
Knowing when to clean your gutters can save you time, money and energy on repairs and replacements.
Seasonal Cleaning and Maintenance
Because your gutters are outside, they are heavily affected by the weather. The seasons can, therefore, impact how you approach cleaning and maintaining your gutters.
While taking care of your gutters year-round is important, seasonal changes bring weather fluctuations that could impact your system’s condition.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Clean Your Gutters?
Gutter cleanings are beneficial no matter the time of year. Spring and fall tend to bring the most significant weather impacting your gutters. These transitional seasons often lead to trees shedding their leaves and heavier rain, which can easily clog your gutters.
Anytime you experience severe weather with significant rain or heavy winds, consider a gutter cleaning. A Category One cyclone can damage your gutters, so consider a post-storm inspection to see whether the storm caused any damage.
If you notice any issues with your gutter, don’t wait until your routine inspection. Instead, contact gutter cleaning professionals to resolve the problem quickly to give you and your family peace of mind.
When Should You Hire Professional Gutter Cleaning Services?
Hiring professional gutter cleaning services has many benefits, such as:
- No risk of injury to you: If you are not an expert, cleaning your gutters on your own can be dangerous. For instance, if there are pests, such as stinging insects, in or around your gutters, you could get hurt. Professional gutter cleaning services mean you don’t need to take this risk and can instead trust experienced people to do the job.
- Better results: Professional gutter cleaning service providers have the knowledge and equipment needed to clean your gutters effectively. They know what they’re doing, so the results will naturally be better than if you try to do the job yourself.
- Gutter repair: Some companies, like A Better Gutter Cleaning, will also let you know if they notice any issues with your gutters and can fix them on-site.
Maintain Your Gutters With A Better Gutter Cleaning
If you notice any signs your gutters need maintenance, from pest infestations to overflowing water and everything in between, A Better Gutter Cleaning has your back.
We are the top-rated gutter cleaners in Atlanta and offer various additional services, including repairs, installation, protection and tree pruning to keep your property looking and functioning at its best. Our experts will help keep your home healthy and combat gutter-related issues.
When you work with A Better Gutter Cleaning, you get professional service, quick turnarounds and a super easy scheduling process.
Are you ready to get started? Contact us today for a free quote.
