You probably already know all about why having a gutter system is a good idea and how your gutters can help circulate rainwater away from your roof and outer walls and prevent water damage in the long run. While all that is true, and your gutters may have many other advantages as well, experts will often recommend that you keep your gutters clean, if you want to keep benefiting from their ability to do what they can do best.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Gutters Clean?
So, why is it so important to keep your gutters clean, and should you consider some recurring cleaning tasks that will help you do so? To answer this question, it’s important to first have a clear idea of how your gutters work.
The gutter system basically acts like a system of pipes that channels rainwater away from your roof and home. As the water flows down the slope of the roof, it’s caught by your gutters and led safely down to the ground, thus preventing water damage and keeping your bank account from suffering as a result of having to pay for too many roof repair jobs.
Unfortunately, along with water, storms can blow all sorts of things into your gutter system, some of which could clog it. As small branches, leaves and even the materials birds might use to build their nests, make their way to your gutter system, they can partially or completely clog it. The water will then stall and possibly attract pests that could end up irreparably damaging your gutter and part of your roof.
Ideal Tips for Keeping Your Gutters Clean
So, it’s established that we have to take steps to make sure our gutters are clean and that they can be properly protected in the long run. Here are a few tips on how you can achieve that goal:
- Consider performing regular roofing and gutter maintenance tasks, such as cleaning your gutters and pressure cleaning your roof at least twice a year (in the spring and autumn). That way, any lingering debris that could fall into your gutters and clog them will be taken care of. Schedule these annual services with roofing contractors Pensacola maintenance professionals for best results.
- Set humane traps for pests such as squirrels and call an exterminator for taking care of smaller pests that might turn your gutters into their homes or nests.
- Plant trees at least 10 feet away from your home, so that their branches and leaves won’t be blown into your gutter system. It’s also a good idea, if possible, to relocate or cut down trees that were planted too close to your home and have already developed their branches too extensively.
- Consider upgrading your gutter system. A gutter guard is not too expensive, and it can help reduce the potential impact of storms by keeping debris out and keeping the water flowing through your gutters without any danger of clogging.
While owning a gutter system will keep your home safe from water damage for the most part, you’ll find it’s very important to keep your gutters clean as well. The tips mentioned above should help you out with that in the long run.
