How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters? Why It Can Save You, Big Bucks!
Table of Contents
- Gutter Material
- Home Size
- Gutter Style
- DIY vs. Professional Gutter Installation
Clean gutters keep your home running smoothly, but we hardly think about them. They’re too high up on the property, so out of sight, out of mind. How often should gutters be cleaned? Does it even have a gutter guard? Homeowners only consider cleaning rain gutters or the gutter system when winter approaches, after a storm, or when there’s too much debris that we can’t ignore cleaning gutters. Don’t wait until the gutters get damaged to clean them. Dripping gutters can be disastrous.
So, let’s explore how often to clean gutters and tips to get it done efficiently and save money.
5 Reasons Why Clean Gutters Matter
Regular gutter cleaning or routine gutter cleaning by professional gutter cleaners can save you from paying high repair and maintenance costs. Here are the top five reasons why you should stop neglecting your gutters cleaned.
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1. It Extends Your Gutters' Life
Routine gutter maintenance makes your gutters last for decades without needing replacement. Make a habit of removing dirt, debris, pests, and bird nests from your gutters. This way, they won’t leak, sag, or break prematurely and demand an expensive, unplanned replacement.
2. It Prevents Water Damage
Clogged gutters can overflow with runoff water, which collects near your basement and seeps into your home. This excess water can damage your basement’s walls, appliances, and furniture. Clean your gutter to avoid paying for water damage repairs and replacements.
3. It Keeps Your Foundations Strong
Similarly, excess water from blocked gutters can damage your home’s foundation. You may see cracks in your walls and floor due to a damaged foundation, making your home dangerous and very expensive to repair.
4. It Prevents Pest Infestations
Since gutters accumulate foliage, seeds, and twigs, all kinds of animals typically build nests in them, such as:
- Birds
- Mice
- Chipmunks
- Squirrels
- Snakes
- Bees
- Hornets
- Mosquitoes
- Cockroaches
- Wasps
These creatures naturally gravitate to the food, shade, and nesting materials clogging your gutters. However, they bring numerous health hazards to your home. Clean gutters are inhabitable to these animals, keeping your home safe and pest-free.
5. It Prevents Roof Damage
Clogged gutters experience excess overload from debris and standstill water which can damage the gutter brackets or even pull down parts of your roof and wall. This damage worsens over the winter when water in the gutters freezes and expands. Regular cleaning helps you avoid the double cost of fixing the gutters and the roof.
Expert Advice on How Often to Clean Gutters
Clean your gutters twice a year in the spring and fall because:
- Springtime cleaning removes the excess water or debris from winter storms and prepares the gutters for rain.
- Fall cleaning removes debris brought by rain and leaves and ready the channels for winter.
At the very least, you should clean your gutters once a year in the fall. If the winter starts with clogged drains, you may end up with an ice dam as water accumulates and freezes in the debris. You may want to consider installing gutter guards as well.
Factors That Determine How Often to Clean Gutters
Sometimes, homeowners may need to clean gutters more often than twice annually. Consider cleaning your gutters more regularly if you meet the following conditions:
1. Your Home Is Surrounded by Trees
Your lush, picturesque neighborhood may be trouble for your gutters. The full, overhanging trees shed branches and leaves over your rooftop. They also attract birds, insects, and other small animals seeking food and shelter. You may need to clean your gutters every season and several times during the fall.
2. You Experience Frequent Storms
Heavy wind, rain, snow, and hailstorms bring plenty of water and debris to your gutters, requiring more frequent cleaning. These weather conditions put extra weight on your channels compared to homes in arid areas.
3. Your Home Is Old
Gutters age alongside your roof and other building materials as they’re exposed to the elements over time. Gutters tend to break down along the seams or get rusty and brittle, meaning that debris will further weaken them.
If your home is over ten years old and has had little maintenance in its lifetime, consider cleaning the gutters more frequently throughout the year to avoid further damage.
Gutter Cleaning Methods and Tips
If it’s time to clean your gutters, here are some ways to do it:
1. By Hand
You’ll need a good pair of gloves, a sturdy ladder, and access to the gutters to clean them by hand. You may also need a trowel or screwdriver to remove any compacted gravel or leaves. Watch for power lines, branches, and other hazards above your head as you work.
2. By Machine
A wet/dry shop vac works well to suck out debris at the bottom of the downspouts. A leaf blower pushes dry debris from the rooftop gutters through the downspouts. If you choose this option, get a long-enough power strip to operate the vacuum or blower on the roof. Have someone hold the ladder securely to support yourself and your equipment.
3. By Hosing
You’ll need a high-pressure hose nozzle or extension to blast water from the ground up to clear debris from the gutters. Use this method to power-wash your gutters to flush and rinse them out.
4. By Calling the Experts
The guaranteed method to get clean gutters is by hiring a professional. Call Above All Gutter VAC today if:
- Your roof and gutters are too old for a DIY cleaning
- You don’t have the tools to clean the gutters yourself
- You don’t have the time or ability to climb up to the roof and gutters
- You want a thorough gutter inspection to check for cracks, leaks, and rust
Above All Gutter VAC technicians know how to clean gutters quickly, thoroughly, and safely. We assess your home to tell you how often to clean the gutters, then offer the most efficient methods to keep them clean and in great shape.
We can clean gutters from the ground or roof, using vacuums or power hosing, and clean up your patio or deck to leave your property spotless. Start with a free quote or call (470) 315-2739 for professional gutter cleaning services today.
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