Gutter Maintenance Tips

Many don’t think about their gutters until they aren’t functioning properly. Keeping on top of gutter maintenance can help avoid costly repairs in the future and damage to your home.

Here are a few gutter maintenance tips to keep yours in excellent shape!

How do I know I need to clean my gutters?

If your gutters are full of leaves, twigs, and other debris, it is time for a cleaning. If your roof is low enough, you can use a ladder and gloves to clean out gutters. Depending on your home and the height of your roof, you might need a professional. Make sure to always be safe and use a sturdy ladder and have someone else with you.,

How do I keep my gutters from getting clogged?

This is a tricky question as gutters are meant to catch debris. Gutter guards help keep leaves and twigs from blocking downspouts so your gutters can function properly. Gutter guards are a worthwhile investment for the overall health of your gutters and will save time and money with it comes to gutter cleaning and regular maintenance.

What happens when I don’t perform regular gutter maintenance?

Many things can happen if you don’t regularly clean and inspect your gutters such as…

Foundation damage

Clogged and improperly performing gutters lead to water damage that can erode the soil around the foundation of your home. If your gutters are working properly, water that will cause soil erosion will be flushed away.

Basement flooding

Water that is not properly filtered through gutters can end up flooding your basement. A flooded basement means problems with mold, mildew, fungus, and water damage. Prevent unnecessary repairs by keeping gutters clean.

Driveway, sidewalk, and other surface damage

Gutters also help flush water away from paved surfaces that can lead to erosion and shifting surfaces.

Mosquitoes

Clogged gutters with standing water are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. If you notice more mosquitoes near your home, check your gutters. Also check for other containers of standing water such as sandbox covers, buckets, wheelbarrows, or tires. Not only are they annoying and cause bitches, mosquitoes also carry diseases such as West Nile Virus that can be deadly for young children and elderly adults.

By taking care of your gutters, you can prevent massive amounts of damage to your home. If you have fallen behind on gutter maintenance and need some help, Peterson Roofing can help!