When to Clean Gutters: How Often Should Gutters Be Professionally Cleaned?
It's no secret that ignoring your gutters can have serious -- and costly -- consequences to your home.
You want to make sure that you're doing your due diligence, but you're not certain as to how things like storms, the age of your gutters, and more can impact your cleaning schedule.
However, we understand that knowing when to get gutters cleaned can sometimes be tricky.
We've created this handy guide to help you to better understand when to clean gutters, as well as the benefits of doing so.
Then, we'll let you know where you can connect with experienced professionals that will help you to ensure that your gutters are in excellent shape.
How Often Should You Clean Gutters: The Basics
First, let's take a look at the basic rules of when to clean gutters.
You should make it a point to have your gutters professionally cleaned, at minimum, two times each year.
When in doubt, every time that you change the batteries in your smoke detector, schedule a gutter cleaning. Of course, there's a bit more to it than that. You should have them cleaned after the majority of the leaves come down in the fall, and then again in the spring.
This will help to guard against mold, trapped debris, and problems with the foundation of your home.
However, there's a bit more to it than that. Now, let's take a closer look at what can influence how often to clean gutters.
Other Factors Influencing Your Gutter Cleaning Schedule
Interestingly, the types of trees that you have in your yard may also impact your cleaning schedule.
For example, if you have pine or eucalyptus trees in your yard -- or other trees that shed their needles throughout the year -- you'll likely need to have your gutters cleaned out about once every three months.
This prevents their leaves and twigs from building up in your gutters. It's important to remember that having leaves stuck in your gutters during the warmer summer months can sometimes turn into a fire hazard. So, if you notice that, even when the weather is warmer, there are leaves in the gutters?
It's best to call in a professional.
Another crucial time to have your gutters cleaned?
Directly after a snow or ice storm -- or even if it rains heavily when the temperature is close to freezing.
You don't want water to freeze in your gutters, turning into ice that can quickly put a lot of weight on them. Plus, these snowstorms can easily knock off lots of twigs and leaves that will end up in your gutters.
You'll also need to look at the placement of trees in relation to your gutters. You may love that stunning maple or oak tree in your hard. However, if it's leaves are dangling almost directly over your gutters?
You'll likely need to get them cleaned about once per season.
When in doubt, play it safe and call in the professionals.
Know the Signs
There are some major signs that you can watch out for that indicate you're in need for an immediate clean.
If you hear the rustling or chirping of animals in your gutters, it's definitely time for a cleaning.
The same thing goes if you notice pools of water in your yard or on your driveway. Of course, if you've spotted leaks in your gutters, or feel like you're getting "rained on" when you walk underneath them, you're due for a cleaning.
The Benefits of Cleaning Your Gutters
Now that you know a bit more about how often to clean gutters, let's talk about a few of the biggest benefits of doing so.
First of all, keeping your gutters clean means that pesky squirrels, bugs, and other animals won't invade them. When there's a buildup of twigs, leaves, and other junk in the gutters, they quickly become a perfect breeding and nesting ground.
In addition to carrying serious diseases, these creatures can cause serious damage to your gutters and the structural integrity of your home or building. This also leads to costly repairs.
Plus, clean gutters help to protect your landscaping. You don't want water and debris from overflowing and unmanaged gutters to erode your soil or crush and drown your flowerbeds.
Remember that the weight of clogged gutters can lead to water damage in your home's foundation and roof.
If the gutters can't properly guide water and debris away from your home, you're putting it at risk for fascia board damage, basement flooding, and leaks in your roof.
Above all, preventative maintenance on your gutters works to extend their overall lifespan.
It's no secret that, in addition to being disruptive, having your entire gutter system replaced can be expensive. However, proper cleaning can help your gutters last anywhere from 20 years for aluminum gutters and 50 years for copper gutters.
When to Clean Gutters: Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has helped you to better understand not only when to clean gutters, but also the benefits of doing so.
And while we know that you may be tempted to go the DIY route when it comes to gutter cleaning? It's just not worth putting your safety at risk. Plus, the truth is that you won't be able to do as thorough of a job as the professionals will.
Looking for expert gutter cleaning services in and around the Charlotte area?
Don't settle for anything less than the best.
Whether you want to set up a regular cleaning schedule or if you need a one-time job after a storm, we want to work with you.
We can install gutter guards, polish and clean your gutters, and much more.
Get in touch with us today to schedule your service with us.
