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With regular cleaning, seamless aluminum rain gutters have a lifespan of up to 30 years. It is essential for these gutters to be free of dirt and debris in order to function correctly and keep water away from your home. Open gutters can easily collect leaves and other debris, causing the system to become clogged and hinder the flow of water. By routinely scheduling gutter cleaning services, you can ensure that your system is working efficiently and prevent any blockages from occurring.
Clogged Gutters
It is crucial to clean your gutters because if they become clogged, they can cause overflow and damage to your home. The purpose of gutters is to guide water away from your house and onto the ground. However, gutters often accumulate more than just water, including leaves, debris, shingle grit, and even animals, which can lead to blockages and serious damage to your home.
Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to penetrate and rot the fascia board. This can result in water leaking into your attic, ceiling, and other areas, leading to expensive repairs and the potential growth of dangerous mold and mildew. Additionally, if your downspout and drain are blocked, water can seep into your basement or foundation, causing further damage and additional costly repairs.
Our gutter cleaning and maintenance services aim to ensure that the interior of your system remains clean, which is crucial for the proper operation and function of your gutters. However, by installing gutter guards, you can eliminate the need for yearly interior cleanings, as they will prevent debris and other materials from entering and clogging your gutters.
Best Way to Clean Gutters
You can determine the most dreaded household chores by the number of “easy” gadgets available that claim to solve the problem or make it more enjoyable. Over the years, we have experimented with several gutter cleaning methods and will continue to do so with any new options that arise. However, many of these gadgets, and even some hired landscapers, only focus on cleaning the gutters and neglect the downspouts and outlets.
Cleaning by Hand
Through our experience, we have found that the most efficient method of cleaning gutters involves manual labor using a ladder, gloves, and a bucket. Alternative gutter cleaning methods like spray nozzles can often create a mess that may damage your windows and siding. In the following paragraphs, we will outline the most effective approach for cleaning your gutters, including the downspouts and outlets, which will ensure that your gutters function correctly and provide protection for your home.
Gutter Cleaning Services
The Brothers that just do Gutters offer a Maintenance Agreement program that can alleviate the hassle of cleaning your gutters. By enrolling in the program, you will be added to our database and scheduled for regular gutter cleaning, ensuring that your gutters are prepared for heavy cleaning seasons. Opting for our manual gutter cleaning services also comes with the benefit of annual inspections by our expert team, who can make minor adjustments to improve the functionality of your gutters.
It is recommended to have your gutters cleaned prior to the spring rainy season and a minimum of once or twice during the fall foliage season.
Gutter Guards
To prevent the need for frequent gutter cleaning services, you can opt for the installation of a top-notch gutter guard system that keeps debris and leaves from accumulating in the gutters. Although this system requires a higher upfront investment, it can save you money in the long term. Additionally, high-quality gutter guards can enhance the durability of the gutter system, particularly during harsh weather conditions.
Overflowing / Leaky Gutters
If you notice water overflowing and leaks following a storm, it could indicate a clog in your gutters that requires cleaning, but it may also be an indication of necessary gutter repairs.
Signs your gutters need attention
- Gutter overflow
- Visible debris in gutters
- No water flow from the downspout
To someone who isn’t knowledgeable about gutters, it may be difficult to distinguish between an overflow caused by a blockage and one caused by gutters that are installed incorrectly or have been damaged.
Cleaning and Repair – Which do I Need?
Gutter Cleaning
If you notice water overflowing near the downspout, it could indicate that your gutters are in need of cleaning as there may be an obstruction preventing water from flowing down the downspout.
Gutter Repair
On the other hand, if there is an overflow happening in the center of the gutter or at the opposite end of the downspout, it is usually a sign that there is a need for repair or reinstallation of the gutters. This is because it could mean that the gutters are not properly sloped, are damaged, or installed incorrectly.
- be a sign of a pitch issue
- mean your gutters are too small
- mean there are not enough leaders or downspouts
- be your gutters are sagging/pulling from your home due to age, or installation issues
Other indications that you have overflow issues:
- Stained or cracked walls, siding, or foundation
- Pooling by your foundation
- Visible overflow from the front of the gutter or between the fascia and gutter in the rain
There are also more obvious signs to look out for. If the area around an underground drain connected to a downspout is wet, it’s a clear indication that the drain is blocked.
While the aforementioned signs can be helpful in identifying potential issues with your gutters, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to mistakenly identify the source of the problem.
Let the Pros Decide
If left unaddressed, these overflowing issues can result in costly and severe problems for your home such as flooding, water damage, and foundation damage.
During an evaluation, our team of trained professionals can determine whether your gutter system requires cleaning services or if the overflow is due to other issues that need repair or replacement. It’s important to note that each home has unique gutter issues, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, a thorough assessment by a professional is necessary.
Contact The Brothers that just do Gutters today for a free estimate if you are experiencing gutter overflow. We guarantee to properly diagnose your situation and provide the best possible solution for your home.
Do it Yourself gutter cleaning
Maintaining your house’s gutter system is a crucial task, but it’s not a simple one. There are certain errors that people usually make, which can cause harm to themselves or harm their homes.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Not properly adhering to ladder safety
- Overreaching while on a ladder
- Wearing inappropriate attire
- Using the wrong tools
- Not completely unclogging gutters.
Best time of year to clean gutters
- Spring before increased heavy rainfall
- Fall after all leaves have fallen
Professional gutter cleaners do not rely solely on leaf blowers to clean out gutters. Dry leaves are not the only material that clogs gutters, and using a leaf blower can cause dirt and mud to scatter and stain nearby areas, such as windows, siding, and outdoor furniture. Additionally, leaf blowers are not effective at removing clogs from downspouts, and leaving a clog in a downspout after cleaning the gutter will result in more clogs and more work in the future. Professional gutter cleaners take a more thorough approach to cleaning gutters to avoid these issues.