Most people don’t think about their gutter systems until something goes wrong. It is not uncommon for gutters to end up forgotten and neglected, but small damages to your gutter system can create much larger problems for your home as a whole. Gutters are crucial tools for the health and maintenance of the home. Not taking care of the gutter system can result in costly future repairs.
Dangers of Gutter Neglect
When you don’t properly maintain your gutters, the buildup of debris makes a cozy, inviting home for rodents, mosquitos, bees, wasps and other outdoor pests.
Clogged rain gutters impede the flow of water away from the house, causing water to pool on the roof and around the house’s foundation. The roof and foundation may erode from standing and flowing water that the gutter system should divert.
Water that pools on the roof will eventually make its way into the attic. Water pooling around the foundation may make its way into the basement or crawlspace under the house. Water in the attic, walls, or under the house is a breeding ground for dangerous black mold that puts the health of your family at risk. It will also cause wood to rot, which can damage the structural integrity of the house.
Set Up a Cleaning Routine
How often you should clean out your gutters is largely based on your location. In the Columbus area, it’s best to have professional gutter maintenance performed twice a year, in the fall and spring. You should also clean your downspouts as a part of the bi-annual maintenance plan.
Between professional maintenance, homeowners should inspect the gutters quarterly. This is especially important for areas surrounded by a lot of trees, but even if you don’t have trees hanging over your home, debris can drift!
Install Leaf Guards
Installing leaf guards is one way to reduce the maintenance required for gutter upkeep. They don’t negate the necessity of regular maintenance but can significantly cut back on the number of professional visits needed. The rate that you will need professional gutter maintenance after installing a gutter guard system depends primarily on:
- Cover type
- Quality of cover
- Tree variety
- Quantity of trees
Guard systems don’t keep out 100 percent of the debris. A small amount of debris can still get in, so an annual visual inspection is a good idea. Check the system’s integrity and provide basic clean-up and maintenance to increase the lifespan of your gutter cover.
Higher-quality systems generally provide better barriers. Be sure to compare the cost of regular maintenance with and without the system. Many people find that it’s cheaper to invest in a better system and pay less in annual maintenance.
If you’re curious about gutter systems for your home, call Able Roof. We offer free estimates on all of our expert services and we get most projects done in less than a day, so you can get back to your normal routine.
