Is Gutter Cleaning Worth It?
Is gutter cleaning worth it? It is important to keep your gutters clean as a tree would be without leaves. Gutters let rainwater run off into downspouts and downspout screens, carrying run off dirt and debris into the gutter. This leaves a wet path for your water to flow, and over time, can damage your gutters. Clogged gutters lead to overflowing gutters which leads to more mess, more water and more wear and tear on your gutter system.
Gutter cleaning is actually one of the least-noted job in a house. Clogged gutters can in fact increase the overall value of a house; so paying close attention to your gutter is a sure way to ensure you get only the best work done at a reasonable cost. Gutters that are clogged with debris cause many problems for a house. The first is that your home’s exterior is left dirty and grimy, which is not a very attractive look. Secondly, clogged gutters can also lead to leaking downpipes and drainage which can lead to expensive damage to foundation walls and other areas of your building.
If you need to know the answer to the question, “Is gutter cleaning worth it?, then the first thing you need to do is understand why the gutters need to be cleaned. Cleaning gutters regularly will ensure that they are working properly and water flow is not blocked. This will also prevent mold from forming in your gutters. Clogged gutters make this harder to achieve, leaving more work for professionals who are trained in the proper installation of gutter covers and gutter cleaning equipment.
Another common question that people ask when learning how to clean gutters is “how do you clean aluminum gutters?” Aluminum gutters are typically more expensive to install than traditional vinyl or metal gutters and require special equipment such as high pressure air blowers to remove leaves and other debris from the eaves and the rakes. Aluminum gutters are also prone to rust, making regular maintenance necessary to keep them free of corrosion and maintenance issues.
A new gutter system can reduce your home insurance costs by reducing the amount of water that goes into your crawl space. Having a leaky gutter system can cause mold to grow in your attic, walls and windowsills, increasing your risk of getting ill from exposure to mold. Regular maintenance to your gutters, especially on new gutters, will help to prevent the need for expensive repairs or even replacement gutters in the future. If your roof isn’t leaking, but you have dry siding, the siding may be the culprit of the leaky gutters. The solution is to repair the siding to create a seal and repair the leaking gutter system. You can often do this without hiring a contractor by doing the work yourself, but if you know what you’re doing, you may want to hire a contractor to make sure the job is done right.
A major question often asked when learning how to clean gutters is “Do you need gutter guards?” There are a number of good reasons why someone would purchase these. Gutter guards work by allowing you to safely and efficiently remove leaves and other debris from your gutters and channels downspouts with a simple strap attached to the bottom of the guard. Gutter guards prevent your gutter from overflowing and water damage due to leaves and other debris being able to enter the channels. They can be quite useful in preventing damage to your roof and walls as well. In addition, some of the gutter cleaning systems include gutter guards, which may be a good idea in some situations.
Clogged gutters are another common problem associated with gutter cleaning. Clogged gutters can be caused by many different things, including improper cleaning, weather, and age. These gutters are often very hard to get to because of all of the debris and leaves on them. Clogged gutters also contribute to mold growth and can cause other health issues, so if you have a clogged gutter, it’s definitely a good idea to get it cleaned out. Your local plumbing professional should be able to advise you whether or not the gutter cleaning is going to be a good idea in your situation and recommend a solution to your clogged gutter cleaning.
One of the biggest problems associated with gutter cleaning services is that many times they don’t clean the entire gutter system, they will typically only clean out the downspouts. This isn’t such a big issue if you’re just cleaning the main part of the gutter, but it’s important to remember that it’s possible to lose more than just the outlet. Downspouts and the edge of the roof also hold water and debris which can eventually become bigger water problems. So, if at any point you feel that your gutters need cleaning, it’s important to remember to also check the roof. A full gutter cleaning service will usually extend their service to the roof as well to ensure the job is complete.