Gutters, as many of you already know, are responsible for capturing the rain runoff from your roof during a storm. The gutters then through either a above ground or underground method discharge the water away from the foundation of the home. This process when functioning properly helps to protect the exterior of the home, foundation, and basement from moisture damage.
The problem is that many people who have gutters installed use an install it and forget it mentality. This kind of thinking over a period of time leads to gutters becoming clogged with debris from leaves, straw, and other organic material. When the gutters are blocked, water to backup and overflow into the home through the eaves. Left alone, this will eventually cause damage to the gutter and the eave it is mounted to.
It is important that two times a year you get your gutters cleaned. Many people think that if they don’t have trees around their home that they don’t need to clean their gutters, but that’s not the case. Birds and the wind can aid in debris ending up in your gutters. You may need to get your gutters cleaned four times a year if you have a lot of trees in your yard.
Many gutter installers offer a service contract to the homeowner where the installer will clean the gutters twice a year. These contracts often come with a limited warranty since the installer is able to inspect the gutters on a routine basis and catch minor problems before they become major repairs.
You can also clean your gutters yourself if you feel so like it is something you can do safely. We recommend that if your home has a steep or moderately sloped roof or your roof is higher than one story that you hire a professional for the job. Don’t risk getting yourself injured by attempting to do a job yourself just to save a little money.
Closing remarks
Maintaining your gutters is an important part of your homes overall maintenance. The task of keeping your gutters clean will pay for itself over time.