Gutter Cleaning is more than just a DIY weekend project. It’s an essential home maintenance task that protects your house from expensive water damage.
Gutter Cleaning involves removing dirt, leaves, and debris from gutters to ensure proper flow of rainwater. It’s important for preventing water damage to the roof and foundation of your house. Visit Website to learn more.
Clogged gutters are more than just an inconvenience. They can lead to serious, costly home problems. If left unattended, a clogged gutter can cause everything from mold and mildew to structural damage and foundation issues.
Gutter debris can include twigs, leaves, sticks, trash and more. As they accumulate, these items can block water flow and create a dam that backs up water. When the water behind the clog gets high enough, it can overflow the gutters and spill out onto the ground or into your landscaping. This excess water can saturate soil, creating a muddy mess and causing plants to wither or die. It can also overflow into your home, resulting in water leaks and flooded basements.
If the clog is deep, you may need to disassemble a downspout to access it. If this is the case, you should use a ladder that extends to the height of the downspout and install an extension arm or a telescoping tool that will allow you to reach the clog without requiring you to stand on the ladder itself. Once you’ve removed all the visible debris from the clog, run water from your garden hose through the downspout to wash away any remaining sludge. Start with a low-pressure setting and gradually increase pressure until the clog is fully broken up.
Once the clog is clear, it’s time to reassemble your gutters and downspouts. Be sure to use new fasteners and re-secure all the downspout brackets, as well as re-attach any downspouts that have come loose. Check for rust spots or damaged areas and repair or replace them as needed.
Remember, gutter cleaning is not a DIY project. A professional should be hired to ensure the job is done correctly and safely. And while you’re at it, you might want to consider installing gutter guards or covers to further reduce the need for regular cleaning. Keeping your gutters clean is one of the best things you can do for your home and your landscaping. Kept in good condition, your gutters will keep you safe and dry for years to come.
Water Damage
Gutter cleaning often ranks near the bottom of homeowner to-do lists, but it’s one of the most important tasks a home owner can perform. When left unattended, clogged gutters can cause serious damage to your house and property.
Gutters are designed to direct rainwater away from your foundation and basement. When they are clogged, water can overflow and seep into walls and the foundation, causing cracks that weaken and compromise the structural integrity of your home. Regular gutter maintenance is an effective way to avoid costly water damage and basement flooding.
Clogged gutters are also an attractive breeding ground for pests. Rodents, birds, insects, and mosquitoes are attracted to the stagnant water found in clogged gutters. These pests can cause additional damage to your home and even pose a health threat to you and your family. Gutter cleaning removes pests and their habitats, helping to protect your home and your health.
Keeping your gutters clean prevents the buildup of dirt, leaves, and pine needles that can lead to clogs. Using a garden hose, you can flush out the debris and wash the downspouts and gutters. While you’re at it, check that downspouts are free of clogs and that they’re directing water away from your home.
Mold growth in the attic, crawlspace, and basement can be caused by moisture intrusion from clogged or overflowing gutters. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to begin growing on damp surfaces, and it can pose a health risk for people with respiratory problems. Gutter cleaning and maintenance ensures that water is flowing away from the home, preventing mold and mildew growth.
If your gutters are leaking or overflowing, contact a professional gutter cleaner to evaluate the problem and make repairs if necessary. In addition to cleaning your gutters, they can check the condition of your roof and downspouts and offer repair services as needed. They can also recommend services to raise the foundation level of your home if it sits lower than the surrounding area, which may prevent water from draining against your foundation and causing serious damage.
Mold and Mildew
The standing water in clogged gutters makes the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. These fungi thrive in warm, damp conditions and spread quickly through spores. Mold and mildew spores can enter your home, where they can cause a variety of health problems, from skin irritation to lung and respiratory problems. Regular gutter cleaning prevents the build-up of these spores, which can help keep your family healthy and reduce allergies and asthma symptoms.
Gutter cleaning involves more than just removing debris like leaves, twigs and dirt. It also involves testing each downspout to ensure that it’s clear and flushing them if necessary. Gutters that aren’t cleaned regularly can lead to ice dams in the winter, which can damage roof shingles and lead to leaky walls and ceilings. Gutter maintenance helps prevent these issues, so you can save money on costly repairs and enjoy a safer, healthier home environment.
Pest infestations can also be a serious problem when gutters are neglected. Leaves, twigs and stagnant water create an ideal habitat for rodents, birds, mosquitoes and other pests to breed. These pests can also find their way into your home, where they can disturb your peace of mind and cause further damage to your property. Regular gutter cleaning eliminates these breeding grounds and keeps your home free of pests.
Ultimately, the main reason to hire professional gutter cleaners is that they have the tools and skills necessary to do the job right. Gutter cleaning requires climbing a ladder, which can be dangerous on single-story buildings and even more so on two-story homes. Moreover, using a hose or other specialized tools to clean out gutters can be difficult without the right experience and knowledge. This is why it’s a good idea to let a professional handle this task to protect your health, safety and home investment. Squeegee Squad locations across the nation are staffed with gutter cleaning experts who can provide you with high-quality service at an affordable price. Contact your nearest location today to schedule an appointment!
Clogged Downspouts
Clogged downspouts are a serious problem for your home because the rainwater it is supposed to carry can’t get through. This can cause water damage, overflow, and even leaks from the roof. Gutter downspouts can become clogged with dirt, pine needles, animal nests, leaves, and trash. Whether you have a clogged gutter or downspout, you need to fix it as soon as possible to prevent more severe problems.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts isn’t the most pleasant of tasks, but it’s an essential part of keeping your house safe from water-related issues. Fortunately, you can do most of the work with tools you likely have around your house. Start by wearing protective equipment to protect your hands and eyes from debris. A ladder is also necessary, so make sure it is secure before climbing. Always follow proper ladder safety rules, especially when working in rainy or windy weather.
To clean your gutter downspouts, first use a trowel to scoop all of the goop out of the gutter and downspouts into a bucket, emptying it as needed into a wheelbarrow below (pro tip: place a tarp under the wheelbarrow to catch what you will inevitably drop.) Then, hose down your gutters and downspouts to flush away any remaining debris. This will help to ensure that the next time it rains, your gutter system is ready to take on more water.
If you’ve used your hose and still can’t dislodge a clog, it’s time to call a professional. They can bring specialized tools to tackle difficult clogs and even buried downspouts. You should try to clean your gutters and downspouts twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. However, you should also inspect them monthly in high-debris areas and after major storms to ensure they are functioning properly.