How often should gutters be cleaned?
If you are a homeowner you’ll need to clean your gutters so water will channel freely to your downspouts and clear it from your roof and home. How often you clean your gutters depends on many variables, including where you live and what kinds of trees you have around your home. At the very least, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, usually in the spring and then again in the late summer or fall. If you have trees like pines that shed leaves and needles often, you may want to clean your gutters more frequently, about every 3 months or so. You also want to keep your gutters clear of ice during the winter to keep the ice from damaging the roof.
Why gutter cleaning is important
You may wonder why it’s necessary to clean your gutters so frequently or even at all. Here are some reasons why gutter cleaning is important:
- Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks or water damage to both the interior and exterior of the home as rain water and snow melt will get backed up and begin to overflow if the gutters are not clear.
- Heavy debris and ice can cause your gutters to pull away from the house. Gutter sags like this can cause the gutters to collapse and lead to expensive repairs.
- Clogged gutters provide a good spot for rodents and pests to nest and can lead to mold growth.
- Overflow allows water to get closer to the house, which can affect the foundation and landscaping.
If your gutters are clogged and you need gutter cleaning Cincinnati, OH, you can call 513-563-9988 for quality gutter cleaning service.
Clogged gutters can be just as detrimental to your home as clogged drains are to pipes. If you have clogged drains, you may want to get help from a drain cleaning service, if the clog is severe.
Who can clean my gutters?
It’s not necessary to enlist a gutter cleaning service to clean your gutters. If you have a ladder and a hose and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can clean your gutters yourself. But, a gutter cleaning service like those offered by Cincinnati Gutter & Roof Protection will ensure your gutters and downspouts are thoroughly cleared of debris and can also make repairs if necessary.
What does gutter cleaning include?
Whether you do it yourself or have a professional gutter cleaning service clean your gutters, the job should be thorough. It should include cleaning out the leaves and debris, and bagging that waste. Once the leaves and debris are cleared out, the gutters and downspouts should be flushed. You might also want to have the gutter cleaning service inspect and tighten fasteners and make other repairs if possible.
How do you tell if your gutters need cleaning?
If your gutters are clogged, when it rains, the water will stop being diverted away from the home. You can usually tell there is a clog present because the gutters will overflow and water will spill over the sides of the gutter. If you are seeing animals like mice running around or birds nesting in the gutters, it’s time to have the gutters cleaned. If you notice the gutter is sagging and has pulled away from the roof, you have a large amount of debris that’s built up and needs to be cleared away. If your gutters are sagging it may be time to replace them.
How do I keep my gutters clean?
The key to cleaning your gutters, whether you do it yourself or get a gutter cleaning service, is to make sure all branches, twigs, leaves and other debris are cleared off your roof first before you clear it from the gutter itself. Because most of the debris comes from trees, trimming back branches will help keep the gutters clear. Install leaf guards or gutter guards. These covers will prevent a majority of the debris from collecting inside the gutter.
Gutter cleaning and repair
Once your gutter is cleaned, it’s always wise to make sure your gutter is in good repair. You can check for areas that may have leaks or other damage like dents. Leaks can be sealed, but dented sections may need to be replaced so water flow will not be obstructed. If you have multiple leaks or have gutter sags, you will probably need to get the gutter replaced. A gutter cleaning service like Cincinnati Gutter & Roof Protection may also provide repairs.
Gutter cleaning equipment
The main equipment you will need is a ladder and a hose and something to scoop the debris out of the gutter. You will probably also need a broom to sweep the roof beforehand. Some other gutter cleaning tools you may want are extendable high pressure nozzle attachments for your hose, along with brushes to clean around corners and down the down spout. You may also want to get tools to tighten fasteners to keep your gutters secured to the roof.
If you have clogged gutters and need a gutter cleaning service in Cincinnati, OH, then rely on the professionals at Cincinnati Gutter & Roof Protection and give us a call at 513-563-9988 to schedule an appointment.