Atlanta can see a good amount of rain in a year. The city’s regular thunderstorms put your gutters to the test as they direct water away from your home. While gutters seem like a one-and-done affair, they actually need regular maintenance to keep your home dry during Georgia storms.
You can extend the life of your gutters with the right maintenance — this also prevents expensive issues down the road.
Why Do You Need Gutter Care and Maintenance?
Gutters are easy to overlook, but they’re critical in the fight against water. Gutters catch more than rain — they also catch any debris sliding off your roof. When your gutters become clogged with leaves and dirt, it leads to rainwater overflow that can cause wood rot, foundation damage and mold growth.
Gutter care and maintenance extend the life span of your gutters by:
- Preventing roof damage: Gutters stop water from seeping into your roof materials and getting inside.
- Protecting your foundation: Good care ensures gutters direct water away from your foundation, avoiding cracks and erosion.
- Reducing mold: Gutters reduce water pooling. Stagnant water encourages mold growth on walls, so make sure you’re avoiding gutter issues.
- Keeping out pests: Blocked gutters create debris backups. These masses encourage birds, insects and rodents to stick around your home.
- Boosting curb appeal: Clean gutters add that extra touch to make your home look even nicer.
How to Care for Your Gutters
Proper gutter care is the key to extending their lifespan. When you let gutters go unattended, water and debris pile up. They’ll cause leaks, overflows, mold and dirt buildup all around your roof. The better your gutter care, the less time these issues have to start affecting your home. Routine cleaning and professional care keep your gutters in top shape.
1. Routine Checks
Regular inspections help you stay on top of gutter care. The more often you look at your gutters, the earlier you catch potential problems. From the ground, note issues like sagging, detachment and blockages. After a storm, make sure water flows smoothly from your gutters into the downspouts. If you see poor drainage somewhere, your gutters need attention.
During routine checks, also look for rust, cracks and other visible damage signs. Taking a few moments to inspect your gutters prevents small issues from becoming big, expensive concerns.
2. Preventive Measures
You can also use preventive protection to boost gutter life. Gutter guards are a great way to reduce buildup and make maintenance easier. Gutter guards or screens block leaves, twigs and debris from entering the gutter system. Water easily passes through while larger debris is kept out. Remember that your gutters also need to have the correct pitch to encourage proper water flow. If they’re off, water will back up onto the roof.
You should also trim back overhanging tree branches to minimize debris in your gutters, especially in the fall.
3. Seasonal Cleaning
Along with regular visual checks, you should invest in seasonal gutter maintenance. Your gutters face new challenges as the seasons change. In the fall, leaves are the main culprits of clogs. When spring hits, seeds, blossoms and pollen will block water flow. Seasonal cleaning clears out gutters when they’re most prone to buildup.
Grab a ladder and a buddy if you’re cleaning your gutters yourself. Cleaning gutters can be dangerous — falling from ladders is a common injury. After clearing debris, flush your gutters with a hose to make sure they’re working. If you feel uncomfortable doing this on your own, contact a professional.
4. Professional Maintenance
While you can perform some gutter care on your own, you need a professional for the best results. Experts have the tools and skills to find and fix problems before they become expensive. They’ll easily fix improper sloping, leaks and sagging areas, extending your gutter life. They can also handle tougher cleaning jobs, like removing compacted debris.
Scheduling a professional gutter inspection and cleaning at least once a year can help keep your gutters in top condition. If you’re looking to maximize your gutter performance and lifespan, you need help from an expert.
When to Replace Your Gutters
While maintenance and professional care will extend the life of your gutters, all gutters need replacing eventually. Knowing when to replace them can save you from expensive water damage. Watch for these signs to know when it’s time for a new set of gutters:
- Visible cracks: Small cracks may seem like no big deal, but they lead to larger cracks over time. When gutters crack, water can leak out and reach your home. You should start looking at new gutters when you see cracks and splits.
- Leaks or overflow: If you spot water overflowing from gutters or clear leaks, you might have a bigger problem. Overflowing often means the gutters can no longer handle rainwater, while leaks mean your gutters are worn.
- Sagging: Gutters should lie flush with your roofline. If you notice them sagging or pulling away from the roof, they need replacing. Unsecured or sagging gutters can collapse when filled with water.
- Rust: Rust is another sign you need replacements. Long-term rust will weaken the gutter metal. Once you start seeing rust patches, the material is compromised. It’ll be more cost-effective to replace your rusted gutters with brand-new ones.
- Old age: Most gutter materials will last at least 20 years, although copper gutters can last 50 or more. If your gutters are getting old, you might want to replace them, even if they seem to be in good shape. Old gutters can deteriorate quickly, especially after exposure to Atlanta’s humid climate. Upgrade to new gutters for better performance and curb appeal.
Maximize Your Gutter Life With Easy, Reliable Gutter Cleaning
Keep your gutters working for years with hassle-free gutter maintenance from A Better Gutter Cleaning in Atlanta. With our top-rated service, you can get a quote, schedule appointments, receive updates and pay with your phone. We make it easy to maintain your gutters so you can save on repairs and enjoy peace of mind.
Our certified professionals bring unmatched quality and professionalism to every job. If you’re near Atlanta, our team will ensure your gutters are clean, clear and ready to protect your home from water damage. Best of all, every service is completed within 10 days or less. We want you to get reliable, easy gutter service.
Extend the life of your gutters with services from A Better Gutter Cleaning today! Get your quote and schedule a cleaning online.
