While cleaning the gutters isn’t something that’s generally at the top of your to-do list, it’s still important to get it done.
Clogged gutters can cause extreme damage to various parts of your home. And nobody wants to replace their roof, encounter dangerous mold, or damage the structure of their house. So, it’s best to be proactive and know what to do to avoid such problems.
In the article below you will learn the best times to clean your gutters and how often you should clean them.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Clean Your Gutters?
On average, you should try to clean your gutters at least twice a year. However, the frequency may vary depending on the type of foliage that surrounds your house.
For example, if pine trees are growing around your gutters, you should consider cleaning your gutters every three months. Pine trees shed a high amount of needles all year round and these can easily clog up your gutters!
The best time of the year to clean your gutters is usually around late Spring and early Fall. During this time of year, various kinds of debris can gather and cause damage to your residential gutter.
Other times to check your gutters
During winter, you may also want to check that your gutters are clear as you don’t want water to pool and turn into ice. This will become very heavy and could damage your gutters.
Also clear your gutters after a storm. Strong winds can blow all sorts of debris around so you want to make sure that none of your gutters get clogged up. This is especially important seeing as storms also tend to bring a lot of rain and you want to avoid water damage.
How To Clean Your Gutters
When cleaning your residential gutters, make sure that you take the correct safety precautions.
For example, ask a friend or family member to hold the ladder steady while you clean the gutters. Both feet and one hand should be on the ladder at all times. Alternatively, you could hire a professional company to do it for you.
What Items Do You Need To Clean Your Gutter?
There are a few essential items that you will need to clean your residential gutters.
First, you need to use a good-quality ladder. To ensure your safety, you should always wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning your residential gutters. While you can use your hand to clear the leaves and debris out, a garden hose or a leaf blower can work quite well too.
What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Residential Gutters?
Clogged gutters can cause a myriad of problems. So, here are some of the things that could happen if you don’t keep your gutters clean.
Mold
The most common problems people experience with their residential gutters are downspouts and clogging. The build-up of debris, such as dead leaves, twigs, and branches, may cause the water in your gutters to become dirty. In turn, this leads to mold, which can have a negative impact on your health.
Water Damage
Clogged gutters may cause water damage to your roof. Not only can this cause mold, but it can damage your ceiling’s structural integrity. It can also be quite expensive to fix.
Blocked downspouts may also cause your basement to flood, causing irreversible damage to the foundation of your house and to other electrical utilities.
In winter, water that doesn’t drain properly can freeze and cause cracks in the foundation of the house. Make sure your downspouts extend away from your home to prevent this from happening.
Pests
Decomposing leaves in your gutters may attract unwanted visitors such as birds, bugs, and other pests. The rotting leaves become a food source for all these creatures.
Garden Damage
Blocked gutters can cause water to overflow and crash down onto your flower beds and garden soil. This can erode your garden and prevent greenery from growing, which can impact the aesthetics of your home.
Key Takeaways
To prevent any damage or health hazards, make sure you clean your gutters at least twice a year and during times when they are more prone to clogging. Properly maintaining your gutters will prevent them from getting any extensive damage, saving you time and money in the long run.