How Often Should My Gutters be Cleaned?

How Often Should My Gutters be Cleaned?
How Often Should My Gutters be Cleaned?

While a gutter is very useful in directing rain water away from the house, it can accumulate dry leaves and other debris causing it to clog. When there is too much debris in the gutter it traps water causing the gutter to rust and break away. Additionally, if the water does not drain from the gutter it can lead to ice damming and damage, forcing you to replace the gutter. Many small animals and insects can also decide to build nests and homes among the debris accumulated in the gutter as well.

Depending on various factors, such as the amount of trees surrounding your home, you may need to clean your gutters once a year, twice a year, quarterly, or yearly.

1.Benefits of Cleaning Your Gutters


2.Contributing Factor

Gutters become clogged because of the fallen leaves and other debris that accumulates on the roof of the house. This is washed into the gutter when it rains. Additionally, small animals such as squirrels and birds might decide to nest among the debris and leave their dropping in the gutter. The presence of organic matter and water leads to the formation of mold, which contributes to the further clogging of the gutter as well.

3.Timing is Everything – Best Time of Year to Clean Your Gutters

As with other home maintenance tasks, the timing of cleaning the gutters can help prolong its life and minimize other damage. The gutters should be cleaned twice a year, at the beginning of fall and at the beginning of spring. If you clean the gutters at the beginning of fall, the leaves will still be dry and easier to remove. Additionally, when the precipitation occurs, the water will flow freely through the gutter and into the down spout ensuring little or no damage to the gutter. Also, because there is no debris to be washed into the down spout, this will not become clogged, making it easier to clean it out. Cleaning the gutters in early spring will again prepare it for directing the water brought in by the spring rains (if you live in an area that rains heavily or at all).

You do not want to be cleaning your gutters in the middle of August. First off, that is the hottest part of the year so you will be miserable performing a chore such as this in that heat. In addition, it also means you have waited too long to clean and unclog your gutters which means for months now your gutters have been holding up more weight than it should have been and you have also given plenty of time for bugs and critters to find some room to settle in. None of these factors are a good thing.

4.Beyond Cleaning – Time to Replace Your Gutters?

Even as you clean the gutters you should examine their condition. If the gutter is coming loose, it can be re-fixed to the sides of the roof. However, if the wear and tear of the accumulated debris and water has caused rusting and major damage, you should replace the gutter. Older gutters made of iron are prone to rusting and should be replaced with aluminum or other gutters that are rust proof. This will not only make it easier to clean the gutter later on, but enhance the curb appeal of your home.

5.Find a Gutter Cleaner

Cleaning the gutters is a time consuming and physically challenging task. If you do not have the time or the inclination to carry a ladder around your home cleaning out the gutters, you should consider retaining the services of a gutter cleaner to do the job for you.

Redbeacon will then match this against their database of service providers and find gutter cleaners who are available in your locality to issue bids. Once Redbeacon is satisfied with the quality and locality of the gutter cleaners, it will forward four bids to you. You can then choose the gutter cleaner that best suits your household requirements and budget. The work will start as per the schedule provided in the contract. Once the gutter has been cleaned, Redbeacon will wait 24 hours for your feedback before releasing payment to the gutter cleaner from your account.

A home owner has the responsibility of keeping every part of their home in working order. This is in the interests of both the upkeep of the home and the health and safety of the residents. A clogged gutter can lead to plenty of unpleasant incidents and cause the spread of diseases. By taking steps to clean the gutter twice a year, scheduling this for early fall and spring, you can be sure that rain water will be diverted away from your home and into the storm water drains.

Maintaining a well-kept home involves more than just taking care of the interior décor and cleaning the inside of the home. The external portions of the house have to be maintained in order to ensure that the roof over your head offers the security it should. Periodical cleaning of the roof and gutters and inspection of these hard to reach areas for damage will ensure that your home continues to offer shelter and security to your family for years to come.