The Best Ways to Keep Your Gutters Clean and Working Efficiently
Gutter cleaning is one of the most overlooked home maintenance chores because gutters are typically out of sight and out of mind. But these features play an important role in ensuring your home’s structural integrity stays intact. So make sure to keep your gutters clean and working efficiently.
Gutters drain rainwater away from your home, preventing roof damage, reducing the risk of a cracked foundation, and protecting your exterior and interior walls from water damage. To enjoy the benefits of a gutter system, however, you must keep it clean and clogged.
How Do Gutters Get Clogged?
Gutters are clogged by a mixture of falling debris, such as twigs, leaves, moss, branches, tile sediment, pine needles, and unwelcome plants.
Plants, you say? Yes, gutter gardens are not uncommon. Over time, debris will break down into fertile peat, providing compost for airborne spores and seeds. And with bouts of sunshine and ample rainwater, your gutter system will be plugged with deep-rooted weeds before you know it.
What’s the Best Way to Keep Your Gutters Clean?
Leave the ladder in the garage and call your local gutter cleaning experts. It’s one thing to keep your roof and foundation safe, but another to keep your neck, back, and self safe. The reaching and leaning actions involved in gutter cleaning make for a precarious time on the ladder.
A professional will get the job done quickly and perfectly using the right tools, supplies, and procedures. A complex roof line or storied home is best left to experts.
A gutter expert will choose the right ladder that works with the height of your home. They will remove algae, debris, and pests using strong gutter vacuum systems or a trowel. They’ll flush out the gutter with a garden hose or power washer to dislodge and remove leftover gunk.
You will also have your gutters inspected to see if you need to repair or replace them.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule on how often gutters should be cleaned. However, it’s generally recommended to have them cleaned at least two times a year, ideally in the spring and in the fall.
If your home has lots of overhanging trees, you may need to increase your cleaning frequency to as much as once four times a year.
Install Gutter Guards to Reduce the Need for Gutter Cleaning
Gutter guards filter and block twigs, leaves, pine needles, and other debris from getting into your gutter troughs, reducing the frequency you need to clean your gutters. Mesh gutter guards are the easiest to clean because they involve brushing off the top and lifting the cover to remove any dirt and clogs in the gutters.
Trust Midwest Roofing Siding & Windows experts for reliable, professional gutter cleaning, repair, and replacement services in the Twin Cities. We complete all jobs with quality and longevity in mind. Contact us to request a free estimate today.