Why is it Important to Clean Your Gutters?

Why is it important to clean your gutters? I can think of many reasons, but let me first mention the importance of regular maintenance. Gutters are necessary for water runoff from the roof to run off properly. If gutter cleaning isn’t done on a regular basis, you may end up with backed up drains and blocked drains which can cause serious damage to your foundation or home structure. You may even find yourself dealing with mold damage which can be especially severe if your gutter cleaning schedules fall behind.

One of the biggest culprits for gutter cleaning is debris such as leaves, twigs, pine needles from grass clippings. Unfortunately, this type of debris poses a danger to your property as well as your family. In some cases, these objects can break off and float down the river and pose a serious safety risk to anyone who comes in contact with them. Tree roots, pine cones and other debris will cling to any exposed gutter parts and eventually clog the system, so regular maintenance is vital.

Another reason is the potential for toxic chemical reactions when there is a build-up of organic material in the gutters. A buildup of this material allows water to seep through, carrying dangerous chemicals with it. It also becomes easier for insects, such as mosquitoes, to breed since the area becomes wet and warm. All of these things combine to create a potentially lethal environment which is exactly what you don’t want to allow to persist. Regular gutter cleaning schedules can prevent all of these problems by removing all of the organic matter that would otherwise hang over the sides of the gutter.

When should I clean my gutters? This depends on several factors including the length of time they’ve been in use and the amount of organic material they’re composed of. In most cases, gutter cleaners are more effective at cleaning the longer elements like the downspouts. If you have a shorter system or have grown an abundant amount of pine needles or other debris, you may need to clean the shorter elements regularly to maintain proper gutter function.

Why is it important to clean the gutter cleaners? Most gutter cleaners contain chlorine, which can be harmful to the gutter structure if used regularly. While it’s possible to buy specially designed systems that don’t include chlorine, it’s not necessary. Instead, look for gutter cleaning schedules that incorporate a disinfectant. Chlorine-based disinfectants have been shown to be effective at killing gutter insects and improving the health of the surrounding ecosystem.

What should I be looking for in a gutter cleaning schedule? Look for gutter cleaning schedules that include two passes of the gutter cleaner. One pass should clear away pine needles, twigs, and other forms of debris that may clog the gutter. A second pass should clean away any organic material like pine pollen and leaves that could clog the gutter. If you have a longer gutter system, look for a gutter cleaning schedule that uses multiple passes. This will help to minimize the amount of time the gutter is covered in debris.

How do I know when my gutter cleaning schedules are complete? Many professional gutter cleaners provide free gutter cleaning schedules. These schedules should be used as a guide, not a full-on rule book.

When should I clean my gutters? Cleaning gutter systems should be performed at least every 12 months. However, many gutter cleaning schedules recommend checking the gutter system at least once a year. The frequency of when the gutter should be cleaned depends on a number of factors including how long the gutter system has been owned by the homeowner and how much use it gets.