The gutters on your home often fall in the category of “out of sight, out of mind.” Gutter placement is critical to dirt, water, and drainage away from the property, but many homeowners don’t think about inspecting or cleaning the gutters throughout the year.
The truth is that functioning gutters are an essential part of your whole roofing system. When the gutters are working properly, they protect your home against water damage and other issues.
Cleaning the gutters is easy to do… and it’s also easy to forget to do! When standing on the ground, the gutters might look just fine. But there’s a chance that debris and other buildups could be collecting in the gutters, leading to more significant issues in the future.
Gutter Maintenance Is Essential
The truth is that regular maintenance is critical to ensure the gutters are in optimal condition. So mark your calendar and make sure that you are proactive about annual care to keep your gutters in tip-top shape throughout the year.
Gutter maintenance is an investment. However, a little bit of time and effort right now can save you a lot of money and problems in the future.
Common Issues When You Neglect Gutter Maintenance
These are some of the most common issues that might happen if you aren’t proactive about gutter maintenance:
- Water Leaking: When water leaks through the gutters, it can lead to rotting and mold issues in many places in your home. For example, leaks and standing water can lead to structural fatigue, which is why accumulated leaks could damage the roof, siding, and event basement.
- Pest Issues: As debris and buildup collect in the gutters, it creates the ideal conditions for pests to move in. Too often, insect or rodent nests in the gutters can lead to an infestation that moves into your home. Gutter maintenance is a preventive step that reduces the need for pest control services in the future.
- Foundation Issues: The gutters are at the top of the house, so many homeowners are surprised to learn that gutter issues can result in cracking and rotting in your home’s foundation. Functioning gutters move the water away from the house. If there is a leak in the gutter system, the water runs down to the foundation, and you have a higher risk of water saturation… which leads to foundational damage.
- Falling Gutters: Failing to clean the gutters can result in sections that are weighed down with dirt and buildup. The gutters aren’t designed to withstand this amount of pressure, which can often cause the gutters to break and fall.
Prevention Is a Great Investment
Protect your home by adding gutter cleaning and maintenance to your annual to-do list. A little bit of maintenance right now can go a long way to protect your home and minimize the risk of issues in the future.
It can be a challenge to clean the gutters safely and effectively, which is why most homeowners choose to call the experts: Sky Power Wash. Our team offers full-service solutions for gutter cleaning, window washing, soft washing, power washing, and more.
If you live in Marysville, Snohomish, Arlington, Everett, Stanwood, or other surrounding communities, call us for a free estimate: (360) 228-2249.