Gutters are one of the most important elements in your home. They channel water away from your home, preventing costly damage such as cracked foundations and dry rot. However, we all know that we need to clean and check our gutters two to four times a year. But who wants to do that? Sometimes life just gets in the way and we forget about it. Ignorance can be bliss, but not when it comes to your guttering.
If you don’t have a maintenance plan that automatically guarantees gutter upkeep, our services will come in handy, here are a few signs you can use to tell when it’s time to clean your gutter system.
Stains or mould
Any sign of stains or mould could be a sign of standing water in the drainage system. Water not flowing through your system can end up causing costly damage to façade panels behind eaves, roof tiles, or foundations at the base of your home.
Debris
It is normal for gutters to accumulate dirt and debris. From rain to wind, debris will end up in your gutter system. This is one of the main reasons why gutters need to be cleaned several times a year. Debris not only clogs the gutters but attracts pests and allows plants to grow. Squirrels, mice, frogs, and other small creatures can take up residence in your drainage system if conditions are comfortable enough. These pesky creatures can damage and attract larger, more fearsome animals like snakes or feral cats.
Birds
If you see bird or pest tracks in or around gutters, you should see a gutter cleaner to make your system less welcoming to these intruders.
Pests
Squirrels, mice, frogs, and other small creatures can take up residence in your drainage system if conditions are comfortable enough. These pesky creatures can damage and attract larger, larger animals like feral cats.
Plants
If green plants are sprouting from your gutter system, then you’ve spent a lot of time neglecting cleaning your gutters. Plants need a layer of leaves, soil, and debris to grow to provide root protection. The dirt is washed off your roof, carried in by the wind in the gutters. The seeds are blown into existing debris and growth occurs. Plant growth is one of the most positive signs that your gutters need cleaning. Leaves, debris, and water can be heavy. This will cause the gutters to sag or peel off. This can damage the roof and foundations.
It’s an endless cycle of damage. If you notice stretching, sagging, or complete delamination, your gutters may need more than one cleaning. If you don’t remember the last time you cleaned the gutters, get in touch with us and we’ll do it for you.
