Cleaning your gutters at least twice a year ensures that rain and snow water are collected away from your roof and foundations. It is essential to have a regular cleaning schedule for your roof’s health and the overall condition of your house.
While well-maintained gutters direct water away from your house to prevent the risk of foundation damage, replacing roofing materials, paint peeling, and over-flooded basements, neglected gutters cause costly repairs and replacements.
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Last but not least, cleaned gutters contribute to the curb appeal of your house or property. To avoid clogs, blockages, sagging, and more troubles with your gutters, plan their thorough cleaning. Fallen leaves, twigs, pine cones, and organic matter obstruct the normal waterfall and lead to a lot of problems.
If gutters have been neglected for a long time or the homeowner doesn’t know how and what to use to clean their gutters, hiring professional cleaning services might be the best option.
Why Does Choosing The Right Cleaning Method Matter?
What happens if gutters are neglected? There are several serious outcomes of clogged gutters and clogged downspouts. Here are some of them to convince you the right cleaning matters.
Clogged Gutters Lead to Water Damage
When gutters are filled with debris and dirt, leaves, and pests’ nests, water overflows and infiltrates the roof shingles, leading to leaking windows and walls splashed with water. Paint on the sidings needs redoing more often and roof repair is costly.
Water going uncontrollably down your house leads to soil erosion and foundation damage, cracks, and flooded basements are a direct result of non-functioning gutters. Additionally, flower beds and plants are damaged.
Neglected Gutters Are Easily Damaged
When gutters are filled with leaves and other debris, freezing temperatures cause all the accumulated debris to freeze, which doubles the weight of the gutters and causes sagging, cracks, and other damage to the gutters.
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Regular cleaning and maintenance, on the other hand, can show if there are any structural issues with your gutters. When you react timely and with expertise, more severe damage is prevented and you save money from costly repairs.
Moss and Mildew Growth
Organic decomposition in gutters, and overreaching trees that trap moisture cause moss, mildew, and algae growth on your gutters and roof. They are stubborn and acquire chemical treatment. Algae forms a stubborn film that is black and is referred to as gutter gunk.
Moreover, moss and mildew can lead to mold growth and pest infestation. Wasps, mosquitoes, and rodents thrive in such conditions. They can ruin any nice outdoor gathering and bring diseases.
Benefits of rain gutter cleaning
The frequency of rain gutter cleaning depends on several factors: the area you live in, the proximity of trees, how often they were cleaned in the past, and the overall condition of your gutters. However, experts advise you to clean your rain gutters once or twice a year.
The benefits of cleaning your gutters include:
- Saving money on costly repairs;
- Preventing structural and roof damage;
- Preventing moss and algae growth;
- Preventing water damage;
- Extend the life of your gutters.
Big storms require more frequent cleaning as well. Why? Because winds blow more debris and leaves into your gutters. Ideally, you should clean your gutters in early spring after the melting snow and in late fall after the extensive leaves fall.
What methods are there?
Traditional gutter cleaning methods are widely applicable and suitable for many gutters. They ensure their proper functionality and the health of your home. They can include using a leaf blower, gutter cleaning kit, and other gutter cleaning tools. Let’s not forget that you need safety equipment and a ladder.
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Pressure washing is also a method in gutter cleaning but it has to be applied carefully because of the force of the spray. However, for stubborn stains and oily substances pressure washing is the best method.
Chemical gutter cleaning methods involve using specialized solutions that tackle effectively moss and algae growth on your roof and gutters. The right proportions and the chemical of choice are determined by the microorganisms and how soaked your roof is.
Gutter Maintenance
There are several ways to keep your gutters functional in addition to cleaning. Installing gutter guards to reduce the amount of leaves and debris buildup is one of the steps to consider. Check for any cracks and splits every time you approach gutter cleaning.
Consider hiring professional cleaning services to attest to the condition of your gutters, to ensure they are well-cleaned and to receive valuable insight on how often and what methods to use for your particular gutter system.
Seamless gutters require less maintenance because they have no sections and no joint sealing, which makes them more endurable and long-lasting than seamed gutters. Although they are more leak-resistant and endurable, they still need regular cleaning. The cleaning frequency depends on the area, the weather, the position of trees, etc.
Traditional Gutter Cleaning Methods
Traditional gutter cleaning methods are preferred by those who approach DIY cleaning of their gutters. They include manual manipulation or using a leaf blower. These methods are suitable for regular cleaning and maintenance when your gutters are not heavily soaked and greased.
Hand Cleaning
The hand-cleaning method requires manually removing debris and leaves from your gutters with the help of gloves, a scoop, and a bucket. This method is very affordable and allows for close inspection of gutter conditions.
Hand cleaning has several disadvantages. It requires a lot of time and effort, it is straining and it might not be safe because of climbing ladders. It is also not suitable for clogged gutters.
Using a Leaf Blower
Using a leaf blower is a quick and time-saving way to clean light debris and leaves out of gutters. High-powered machines are recommended for such a task. However, this method is unsuitable for wet debris or deeply embedded blockages.
Steps for cleaning your gutters
Cleaning your gutters can be an easy or a super difficult task if they are not cleaned regularly. If there’s build-up of debris, blockage or other problems, you might consider hiring a professional cleaning company like SkySWC.
Cleaning gutters using traditional methods involves several steps:
- You will need a sturdy extension ladder placed on an even surface to reach the roof edge. Ladder stabilizers are a good idea for extra support and to prevent damage to the gutters.
- Protective clothing and gear are necessary when you clean your gutters. They include a long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, comfortable work pants, and a helmet if climbing high.
- Use a plastic scoop or an air compressor to remove debris from the gutters. Clean the areas that are within your reach to avoid slipping from the ladder or losing balance.
- Use a wheelbarrow, tarp, or garbage can to collect the debris. Alternatively, attach a plastic bucket to the ladder with a coat hanger and rope.
- After you have cleaned the gutter debris, use a garden hose attachment to flush the gutters and downspouts, and be mindful of any leaks.
- Inspect the gutters for any sagging metal and use gutter hangers to stabilize them if needed.
Remember that gutters should be cleaned thoroughly. If you have any doubts or don’t possess the necessary tools, if you want to save time and earn effectiveness, you can always hire professional cleaning services, specializing in gutter and roof cleaning.
Methods for cleaning your gutters
There are several methods of cleaning your gutters and what you choose depends on the type of gutters you have installed on your property.
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is a wide-range cleaning method that uses high-powered water spraying to clean various surfaces. It is especially effective for stubborn stains and grime. It is quick and saves time.
Pressure washing dissolves grease and grime, but it is a dirty job. There is a lot of debris blasted out of the gutters. Additionally, it can damage the more vulnerable parts of your gutter. You have to apply low pressure and spray with a suitable nozzle.
Using a high-pressure water stream to dislodge and remove debris from gutters and downspouts is an effective way to clean stubborn dirt and grime. However, this method poses potential damage to gutters or surrounding areas if not used cautiously.
Pressure washing might be applied without climbing too high on the ladder, which makes it a bit safer in comparison to traditional cleaning methods.
Chemical Gutter Cleaning
Chemical Treatment is used to dissolve dirt and kill harmful microorganisms such as moss and algae. The application of specialized cleaning solutions depends on the problem at hand. Store-bought or homemade solutions will leave your gutters sparkling clean.
However, you have to be careful in applying chemicals to your gutters in case they react to the active components.
Chemical gutter cleaners are effective for mold and mildew removal but take into consideration the impact on the surroundings.
Impact of bad gutter maintenance
Regular maintenance contributes to the prolonged life of your gutters but eventually, they will need repairing or replacement to ensure the safety of your home and prevent any water damage. Upon a cleaning visit, professionals can advise you on the signs that indicate the need for gutter replacement or repair.
Some of the signs to be aware of include:
- Cracks or splits: Even small cracks can grow and allow water to infiltrate fascia boards behind the gutters, the shingles above it, and the foundation below. If you notice any cracks or splits, or if professionals see such on their regular visit, repair them timely.
- Pools of water and mold: Standing water or mildew near the foundation or in the gutter channel can indicate that the gutters are clogged or there is a defect in the gutter system. Remove any clogs. If the problem persists, replace that section of the gutter and downspout.
- Water damage or water marks: On a dry, sunny day check below sectional gutters to detect any water damage. Water damage underneath gutters can indicate leaking or overflowing. Look for possible blockages in the section. If there are none, this indicates that the section has a crack or a leak that will need to be repaired or replaced.
Professional gutter cleaners will attest to the condition of your gutter system and will apply the best cleaning method to ensure that your gutters are well-functioning and provide the necessary protection for your home.
Why choose SkySWC for gutter cleaning?
Cleaning your gutters is a hard, time-consuming, and risky task. If you find it too risky or too challenging, consider hiring a professional cleaning company. Professional gutter cleaners possess the necessary equipment, training, and expertise to apply the best possible method.
Professional gutter cleaning services can be beneficial in a variety of ways:
- Trained professionals employing a variety of methods based on gutter conditions and specific needs;
- Expertise, safety measures, and thoroughness in cleaning;
- Time-saving and cost-effective;
- Inspection of gutter condition and repairs;
- Gutter cleaning safety;
- Combination of services;
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Most homeowners consider professional gutter cleaning expensive and decide to save money from the service. However, in the long run, the gutter cleaning cost will surely be less than extensive repairs due to non-functioning gutters.
The cost of professional rain gutter cleaning depends on various factors and ranges between $50 and $250. What determines the price? Factors such as the length of the gutters, the size of the property, and the extent of the clogging are determinative.
Some of the greatest advantages of professional rain gutter cleaning are that you can combine services, get guarantees and rely on insurance.
We at Sky SWC provide professional cleaning services, so you can relax and enjoy your day while we take care of the business.
FAQs
What is the average cost of gutter cleaning in my area?
The cost of gutter cleaning depends on many variables. Some companies charge per linear foot, so the extensiveness of your gutter system will count for the final price. Some companies charge extra for cleaning downspouts.
The condition of your gutters will also determine the cost.
What’s the best way to clean your gutters?
The best way to clean your gutters is by understanding your gutter system, and the advantages and disadvantages of different cleaning methods. Sometimes DIY cleaning can be enough and other times professional cleaning services might be the best alternative.
If you have cleaned your gutters regularly and there aren’t any clogs or blockages, you can use a gutter cleaning tool to clean the sections of your gutter.
However, if your gutters are covered with slime or moss growth, or when you have a clog on your hands, the best thing is to let professionals deal with the task because they are well-equipped and trained to do so.
How do you clean gutters that go into the ground?
You can use a hose, a drain snake, a gutter cleaning tool, or any other specialized tool to clean your underground gutters. However, it is very hard to know if you have done the job well, so this is one of the cases where professional cleaning might be better.
In any case, cleaning your gutters will ensure that the underground drainage is less likely to get clogged or obstructed by accumulated debris.
