Why Gutter Cleaning is Important

“The only things certain in life are death and taxes"

We've all heard that statement many times. Depending on where you live, clogged gutters might be number three on that list. Unless there is not a single tree in the yard, your gutters are likely to have a few leaves in them. Depending on what types of leaves they are, it may only take a few of them to clog a gutter, particularly with smaller 2x3 downspouts. Once the blockage starts, more debris piles on top, and since the water can't flow freely out of the gutter, the leaves start to form a muck that won't leave until someone gets up there and decides to do something about it.

What's the big deal?

Your gutters being full is definitely not healthy for your gutters. When they are full of water, leaves, and muck, they are heavy, and will put a strain on the fasteners which will eventually pull loose or break leading to permanent distortion of the gutter's shape and drainage capability. Additionally, gutters that can’t drain will ultimately overflow. They are designed to overflow over the front, but by doing so they will spill the muck over their front face as well as your fascia, siding, patio (and patio furniture), and walkways.

Poorly draining gutters lead to ugly, failing gutters, but what about the rest of the house?

Rotten fascia, soffit, and siding.

Mildew and mold.

Landscaping washout and erosion.

Water in the basement and crawlspace.

Unwanted pests in the house and around the exterior.

Clogged underground drainage.

Each of these issues is another costly repair, paling in comparison to the cost of regular gutter cleanings. Do yourself (and your home) a favor and get out the ladder and clear out those leaves. If being on a ladder or on your roof is beyond your comfort zone, give a gutter professional a call for a clean-out or an estimate for gutter guards. When you are relaxing inside during the next downpour instead of stressing over the potential damage your clogged gutter may be causing, you will be so glad you did.

*will not remedy the tax related stress