Our own expert gutter cleaning professionals, as well as industry experts, home repair pros, and insurance companies, all recommend that home gutters are inspected and cleaned twice a year. This can vary depending on a number of factors including local tree coverage and weather. Spring and fall are the times of the year when gutter cleaning is most effective.
Late spring is a very effective time to inspect and clean gutters. Increased rainfall in the season can lead to problems if gutters are filled with debris. A complete inspection of the gutters including hangers and downspouts is recommended along with a full cleaning.
The most important time to clean gutters is during the fall to coincide with leaf fall and increased rain and the potential for snow in many areas. Gutters must be clear so water is carried away from the roof efficiently. Cleaning gutters in the fall can also help prevent dangerous and damaging ice dams during the winter.
Periodic cleaning may be called for if the location has a large amount of tree coverage over or near the home or if there are reasons for debris to enter the gutters including construction. One or more additional professional inspections and cleanings may be required.
Areas that experience freezing winter temperatures may also require an additional cleaning to help prevent any accumulation of water which can cause dangerous – and damaging, ice dams to form.
Rain Gutters: Do You Really Need Them?
The short answer is yes. Rain gutters provide a way for water to be carried away from the roof when it rains in the safest, most efficient way. Rain gutters protect your landscaping obviously, but also protect your roof surface, walls, windows, foundation, and basement areas as well. This is because the rain water can be carried away from these areas without allowing them to penetrate the surfaces where it can cause expensive damage.
Since you have gutters, they obviously need to be cleaned, and cleaned somewhat regularly – as we said, a minimum of twice a year. They need to be clean because in doing their job, they gather up leaves and debris which becomes trapped in the gutters. This debris blocks the flow of water which causes the gutters to overflow which defeats the purpose of having the gutters in the first place. Gutters that are not cleaned are not only inefficient, they are hazardous in that they can pull away from the support structure and fall as well.
Gutters are not in place to just keep water off of your head. Gutters serve a very valuable service. When rain hits your roof and comes barreling down, it needs someplace to safely land. Your gutters are the ideal place. Gutters channel the rain water to specific locations and then release it to the ground.
By channeling the water away from the roof line, gutters protect the wood underneath the edges of your shingles, the wood under the eaves of your home (fascia) and it protects your siding as well. Not only that, making sure that you have gutters helps prevent top-soil erosion of the landscaping at the base of your home. When water is allowed to pool at the base of your home it can lead to foundation cracking and many other expensive repairs
What Is Included In Gutter Cleaning
For starters, you are always going to find leaves. But not just leaves, decomposing leaves that have mixed with dust and turned into a soggy muddy mess. You will find twigs, branches, pine needles, and other “tree matter.” You will also find, often time, weeds that have grown up in the gutters. If you have asphalt shingles you will also get a good bit of debris from them. Little hard pellets of shingles come off with the rain and find a nice home in your gutters.
Professional gutter cleaning includes removing debris from the roof surface around the gutters and in valleys leading to the gutters, clearing the gutters of debris, flushing downspouts, and inspecting the support structure and hangers to make sure the gutters are going to work properly now that they are clean. Minor repairs are also typically included like tightening screws and hangers. Cleaning everything up when the job is done and taking it away or leaving it for your trash service is also included.
A professional gutter cleaning company will have the equipment needed to not only reach the gutters but the roof surface too as well as what is needed to do the cleaning and other work effectively. We Get Gutters Clean technicians across the country also have years of experience working with gutters and are fully insured. And our service includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How To Save Money On Gutter Cleaning
Saving money on professional gutter cleaning is not difficult and any homeowner can take these steps to make sure they are paying the right amount for their service.
- Keep your trees and landscaping in good shape. If trees and shrubs are trimmed back properly and regularly, they will produce less material that can make its way into your gutters. This will obviously help keep them from developing problems in between cleanings.
- Schedule your cleaning as far ahead as possible. Spring and fall are the busy seasons for gutter cleaning and schedules fill up quickly. Last minute cleanings will probably cost you more.
- Be aware of your gutter condition. Ignoring gutter issues like waterfalls that happen after a rain or a loose downspout will end up costing you more to take care of later. Get ahead of the game and as soon as a problem arises get it taken care of by us, a roofing contractor, or other professional.
- Look for seasonal discounts. Homeowners that sign up for our email updates often receive 10% to 20% discount coupon codes. That can really add up over two cleanings or more a year.
We Get Gutters Clean is the local leader for professional gutter cleaning service. We have been in business cleaning gutter systems since 2001 – working with local technicians that are knowledgeable, experienced, equipped, and fully insured to take care of your gutters and help protect your home. Click or call us for a free, no home visit quote today. We Get Gutters Clean – It’s What We DO!