Gutter cleaning is an essential part of keeping your home properly maintained. When working properly, your gutters sweep water away from the siding and foundation of your home, preventing water damage from creating bigger structural issues over time. However, if your gutters are not properly cleaned regularly, pest and water damage can slowly erode your home, leading to very expensive repairs.
Although you can clean your gutters on your own, there are many advantages of calling in a professional to get the job done right the first time. Consider this your complete guide to gutter cleaning: The signs you need gutter cleaning, questions to ask before gutter cleaning, and when to call in a professional gutter cleaner.
Why Do I Need Gutter Cleaning Regularly?
Gutters perform a very important job for your home. When inclement weather — like rain or hail — falls on your home, your gutters collect the runoff from your roof and guide the water away from your home. Moving water from your home does more than keep your grass green. It also keeps moisture from seeping into your siding, walls, and your foundation.
When gutters are blocked by buildup and debris, the water still has to go somewhere. In this situation, the water is often spilled over the side against your home, or collects in the gutters causing damage over time. The only way to prevent home damage is to keep them clean by thoroughly clearing out the gutters and downspouts at least twice per year.
How Can I Tell When I Need Gutter Cleaning?
While gutters should be cleaned regularly, there are visible signs that they must be cleaned as soon as possible. Here are five signs you should make a plan to clean your gutters today.
1. Your Gutters Are Overflowing When It Rains
The most obvious sign that your gutters are suffering from blockages is when you see water overflowing from them when it rains. When water cannot cleanly and effectively flow into downspouts, the rain instead will spill out against your home, causing staining and mold growth on your siding and ultimately seeping into your walls and foundation. Regular cleaning can prevent overflowing, keeping your home safe.
2. There Is Visible Plant Growth From Your Gutters
When debris and buildup go unchecked for a long period of time, it can lead to the breakdown of organic matter, creating a perfect environment for plant life. When you can see vegetation growing from over the top of your gutters, it’s a sure sign that they are clogged. When you see plants, it’s time to get your gutters cleaned now.
3. Animals and Pests Are Visiting Your Gutters
During the dry months, animals and other pests see your gutters as a perfect place to build nests and build a home on top of your home. These encampments don’t wash away — they can either create a blockage from water flow, or get stuck in downspouts creating a major backup. If birds, squirrels, or bugs are congregating around your gutters, you need to get them cleaned quickly.
4. Your Gutters Are Visibly Sagging
Different debris buildups don’t just cause backups. After rain storms, they can also retain water, creating extra pressure on your gutters. The weight can physically damage or outright break gutters by causing them to sag downward. If your gutters are taking a curved shape, you need to clean them immediately.
5. It’s Been Over Six Months Since Your Last Gutter Cleaning
Home repair and renovation experts suggest having gutters cleaned biannually to protect your investment and prevent serious damage. If it’s been at least half a year since your gutters were last inspected and cleared out of debris, it’s time to have them inspected and cleaned.
Can I Perform Gutter Cleaning On My Own?
While you can perform a gutter cleaning on your home, it takes a lot of preparation and consideration. You will need not only the right equipment to tackle the work, but also personal protective equipment to ensure you don’t get injured.
To begin, you will need a ladder that will reach up to where you can see within your gutters. These tall ladders must be placed on flat, solid ground to ensure you won’t tip over. Ideally, you will need a second person to hold the ladder in place to keep you stable. You will have to reposition your ladder multiple times so that you are cleaning within an arm’s length without straining.
Because gutters are a spawning ground for bacteria, you will also need to wear protective equipment. An apron, face guard, and gloves are all necessities for physically removing blockages and buildup from your gutters. You will also want to lay down a tarp to protect your lawn from being affected by the debris.
The Downsides of DIY Gutter Cleaning
While it’s possible to clean your gutters, it may not always be recommended. Those who are older, have physical impediments, or other conditions should never be up on a ladder with the potential of falling over, causing serious injury. Additionally, those who do not have the equipment on hand to clean gutters will find themselves spending more time and money getting prepared than actually getting the job done.
If one of these situations applies to you, then you should consider professional gutter cleaning:
- Your home is over two stories tall
- Your gutters are seriously damaged or falling off your home
- Your home’s landscaping does not allow ladder placement on flat ground
- Your roof is steep or has a complex structure
When Should I Hire Professional Gutter Cleaners?
When it’s time to get your gutters cleaned, it’s always prudent to consider hiring a professional team to get the job done. Professional gutter cleaners have all the equipment needed to safely get to your gutters, as well as the training, licensing, and insurance to make sure the operation goes smoothly. Professionals can also help you troubleshoot areas of concern where debris buildup has damaged your home or gutters.
Although it might cost more than doing it yourself, professional gutter cleaning is an investment in keeping your home in pristine structural condition. A trusted cleaning crew will not only remove items from the gutters lining your home but also clear out downspouts to ensure water flows downward and away from your foundation. When the time comes to hire gutter cleaners, getting a professional team will give you additional peace-of-mind that your home is well protected against the elements.
Trust Pinnacle Pressure Washing to Clean Your Home Gutters
When you need gutter cleaning, turn to the professional and trusted team at Pinnacle Pressure Washing to get the job done right the first time. Our team is fully trained, licensed, and insured to clean the entire exterior of your home, from your walkways to your roof and everything in between. With nearly a decade of experience, we know what to look for when cleaning gutters to protect your home from the elements, and can recommend services or repairs to keep your home in good condition, ultimately preserving the value of your home. Call us today at (916) 209-0259 or contact us online to schedule your free quote today.