Gutter cleaning and repair is one of the most neglected chores for obvious reasons—it’s challenging, time-consuming, and dirty. However, is it really a big deal?
A lot of people don’t realize how critical it is to keep their gutters clear from debris. It deserves a top spot on your maintenance list, and hiring a professional handyman to handle this task ensures that the job is done right.
Regular upkeep of your gutters is essential because they are designed to protect your home and prevent potential structural damage. Damaged gutters may result in more expensive repairs.
Even though they are out of sight, they must not be out of your mind. Regular upkeep of your gutters is essential to protect your home.
Why should you keep your gutters clean?
Gutters aren’t something of a big deal as others perceive it. But they are essential parts of your house. Gutters work to protect your home from rainwater by diverting it away from your house and its foundation.
During a storm, rainwater runs off into the gutters and moves its way down through the pipes into the drains on the ground. Your doors, windows, walls, ceilings, and foundations are protected from water damage with this system.
Since gutters play an essential role in protecting your house, they must be kept clean and clear of any debris that prevents them from doing their job effectively. Experts recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year. However, if your roof is right beneath the trees, you need to clean more frequently.
Lacking the proper maintenance of your gutters can lead to more serious problems in the future, such as the following:
Slippery walkways
One thing that might happen when rainwater is not channeled into the drains through the gutters is it might collect on your driveway or walkway, potentially creating a slip hazard.
Additionally, algae can form in stagnant waters, which make paths quite slippery. Finally, in winter, this water turns into ice, which makes it difficult for people to pass.
Roof damage
Rainwater can sit against the roof edge if the gutters are damaged or blocked by debris. This results in damaging both the surface of the roof and its underlying materials. It can also cause the wood to rot, which allows water to seep into the house below.
During winter, the water turns to ice, and it pools on the roof. This situation can cause severe damage and can be very costly to repair. In addition, the ice buildup causes molds to grow inside your attic and walls, which eventually damages your house.
Door, wall, and window damage
Gutters also protect the doors, walls, and windows from rainwater. However, since these parts of the house are mostly made up of wood, they are susceptible to rotting and warping, especially since they are not load-bearing elements.
Foundation damage
A downspout is a lightweight pipe connecting the gutter to the ground to ensure that the rainwater stays away from the home’s foundation and prevents soil erosion.
If the rainwater doesn’t flow through the downspout, it can cause the water to spill over the sides of the gutters toward the foundation. This primarily happens during heavy rainfall when the rainwater can pool around the foundation leading to cracks, algae growth, and leaks.
Landscape problems
Another problem caused by unmaintained gutters is landscape problems, where the clogged gutters can cause the overflowing of water on your flowerbeds or garden. Although some plants can survive this type of waterfall, some can’t due to the weight and saturation of water.
How Often Should Your Clean or Repair Your Gutters
Cleaning and inspection of gutters must be done once or twice a year to ensure your home’s safety. The frequency of maintenance must keep up with how quickly the debris clogs your gutters, especially when your roof is beneath overhanging trees.
Additionally, it’s vital to check and clean gutters right after every storm because it causes increased debris clogging and potential damage to your home.
How a Professional Handyman Can Save Your Home by Cleaning Your Gutters
Hiring a professional handyman to inspect and clean your gutters is the best way to avoid all the problems mentioned above. It is also the safest route to avoid any potential harm from the unstable footing and wobbly ladders. Leaving the work to a professional ensures that the job is done quickly and correctly.
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your gutters functioning correctly. For example, if you notice your gutters are clogged, call a professional to clear them quickly. Equally, when you see leaking gutters, make sure to have them checked at your earliest opportunity to prevent further damage to your home.