Gutters! Every house has them, but it’s probably not something that we think about very often. However, they are essential in water management, allowing water to flow from your roof and down to the ground, protecting your property from water damage. Without them, water would flow freely, causing erosion or damage to your roof, walls and even foundations.
Because gutters do such a crucial job in protecting our homes, it is imperative that we take care of them, keeping them well-maintained so they can continue to do their job correctly. How can we do this?
One vital way to keep gutters in good condition is to keep them clean. That’s where gutter cleaning comes in! Maybe you’ve had flyers through your door many times advertising McGraths Hill gutter cleaning services but wondered whether they are really necessary or even worth the money!
This article will answer all your questions, including what is actually gutter cleaning. Or what problems can be caused when gutters aren’t kept clean? And is it worth getting someone to come and clean your gutters?
Let’s get started!
What Does Gutter Cleaning Involve?
Gutter cleaning refers to the process of cleaning the entire gutter system and its components, including the gutter, end caps, fascia brackets, and downpipes.
A professional gutter cleaning service will remove all leaves, dirt and other debris from your gutters. They will check for and remove any blockages in the downpipes and flush through all the gutters and pipes to ensure water flows through correctly. Unless you’re confident working on a ladder, we don’t recommend DIY gutter cleaning. Trying to save on your gutter cleaning could end up being an expensive decision!
A good gutter cleaning service will also inspect your gutters for any issues that need repairing.
Why Do Gutters Need Cleaning?
When your gutters are full of dirt, leaves, and other debris, water can no longer flow freely through the system, preventing your gutters from protecting your home!
As mentioned previously, gutters serve many purposes, including re-directing water away from your home, reducing the amount of condensation on your windows and sills, and protecting your walls and foundations.
So, if your gutters are not functioning correctly, it means bad news for your home! That’s why gutter cleaning is so critical. It helps preserve your home from a multitude of problems. Let’s take a look at just a few of the problems that can be caused by gutters that aren’t regularly cleaned.
Moss Damage
Moss is a top culprit for blocking gutters, especially during colder weather. Moss and algae just love damp, dark locations, which makes your roof and gutters their perfect breeding ground.
Moss loves to absorb water, which can prevent your roof tiles and gutter from drying out. This water retention can lead to problems such as dampness, mildew and rot!
When there is heavy rainfall, moss can also fall into your gutters and downpipes, causing blockages.
Moss is definitely not your friend and needs to be regularly cleaned off to ensure it doesn’t cause damage to your property.
Blocked Gutters
There are so many potential blockage risks for your gutters, including moss, leaves, branches, and other debris. If seeds make their way into your gutters, you can even find plants growing in there!
As mentioned previously, blockages prevent gutters from doing their job, water stops running through, and very soon, you could be left facing overflowing gutters and water damage to your roof, walls and even foundations.
Property Damage
So we keep mentioning property damage, but what kind of damage can blocked gutters cause exactly? Well, when gutters are blocked and water spills over the edge of them, it can cause your fascia boards to rot. The water can also overflow down your walls, causing mould to form on your windows, ceilings, internal walls and more.
If this problem is left unresolved for too long, water can seep into the foundations of your property and collect around your home. This excess of water can cause the soil underneath to expand, pushing up the foundation of your home and causing uneven floors and cracks. Not good!
Animal Infestation
Stationary water is a sure way to attract animals. Birds, insects, and rodents all love to come and have a drink! So, if your gutters are blocked up and full of water, you could have an animal infestation on your hands.
In addition, if your gutters are full of leaves and twigs, this provides the perfect nesting ground for all sorts of small animals. From this location, they can easily access your roof and potentially enter your attic or home living area. No, thank you!
Keep those gutters clean and clear to prevent animals from making their homes in there.
Smelly Gutters
Another big issue with dirty gutters is the smell! If they do not receive regular gutter cleaning, the smell of rotting debris, animal poo, and stagnant water can become very strong and unpleasant. That’s definitely not an aroma you want to smell whenever you walk out the door or sit in your garden! Regular gutter cleaning and maintenance can help to combat the smells caused by dirty gutters.
Is It Worth It?
So you might be thinking now that gutter cleaning seems like a good idea, but whether it’s actually worth paying someone to do it. Maybe you’re even wondering about trying it out yourself…but here are some things to consider first!
According to the NSW government, working at heights causes the most severe or fatal accidents at heights of between 2.1 and 4 metres. That’s not very high! This is one reason why, if you are thinking about cleaning your gutters, it’s always recommendable to hire a professional, trained gutter cleaning service to do it for you. This is especially true if you are not trained to work at height.
Rather than risk your own safety, it’s a good idea to call in a gutter cleaning specialist, who will take care of the job in the safest way possible for both you and your home.
Gutters only need to be cleaned up to twice a year, so it’s a small investment to protect your property.
Regular gutter cleaning keeps your home looking tidy and smelling good and protects your property from water damage. So, is it worth it? I’ll let you decide!