Gutters are a simple way to save your home and property from a lot of problems, but homeowners all too often forget about the importance of gutter cleaning. Properly maintained gutters can protect your home and help it keep its value by channeling water away from areas where water can cause damage. With all the runoff, leaves and dirt can pile up over time. You might even find plants growing in the gutter if you put off gutter cleaning for too long!
When the water can’t flow through and down your gutters, the water will start backing up onto the roof, causing rot. Alternatively, the water may overflow and go down the side of the house, which can damage the fascia and/or your home’s siding, not to mention causing rot and mold.
On those few days where we have to worry about freezing, the runoff water can cause even more damage. Ice in the gutter can cause the gutters to pull away from the roof. Even worse, since the gutters won’t be able to keep water away from your foundation, water can get into tiny cracks and turn them into bigger cracks as the water expands when forming ice.
Water running straight off your roof can damage your yard as well. If you have a garden near the edge of your roof, your plants can be damaged by the falling water. Even if you don’t, the water will eventually wear away the ground where the water falls, causing ditches to form.
A buildup of damp leaves can be a nuisance to a person, but birds and bugs love it. Birds often build nests in clogged gutters, while they provide a great breeding ground for flies, mosquitos, and other insects.
Gutter cleaning can prevent a lot of minor and major headaches Optimally, you should check and clean your gutters once a month, but very few people actually do this. It’s simply not something people remember to do on a regular basis. Some people just aren’t able to clean their gutters, whether it’s because they don’t have a ladder or they’re not physically able.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had a good gutter cleaning or you just want a professional to take care of it, give Cape Fear Pro Wash a call at 910-685-2545.
