At Experts In Your Home, we place great emphasis on home maintenance. Our goal is to assist you in keeping your home well cared for, whether through our services or by providing valuable insights. One aspect of home maintenance that should never be overlooked is gutter cleaning.
It’s easy to overlook clogged gutters – after all, out of sight, out of mind, right? However, when gutters become clogged with debris like dirt, roofing particles, sticks, and leaves, they can pose significant problems for your home. It’s essential to prioritize gutter cleaning in your home maintenance routine this year.
Firstly, let’s outline the potential damage caused by clogged gutters:
Types of Damage Caused by Clogged Gutters In a previous blog authored by Experts In Your Home, we outlined the issues associated with clogged gutters, including:
Basement leakage: Clogged gutters are a leading cause of water problems in basements and crawl spaces, including leaks, dampness, mold, mildew, and humidity. Overflowing water accumulates around the foundation, leading to these conditions. Foundation damage: Clogged gutters can cause settling of loose dirt under the foundation, resulting in uneven settling and stress that may lead to cracks. Driveway and walkway damage: Erosion caused by water overflowing from clogged gutters can damage asphalt, concrete, and paver stones, leading to cracks, settling, and surface collapse. Pest attraction: Standing water in clogged gutters attracts termites, mosquitoes, and other pests, potentially leading to infestations in your home. Exterior damage: Clogged gutters can damage various exterior components of your home, including roof shingles, soffit, fascia, and wood frame or trim, potentially leading to dry rot over time.
The Optimal Time for Gutter Cleaning When it comes to gutter maintenance, specific times of the year are recommended. Typically, experts advise cleaning gutters in the spring and fall. According to The Home Depot:
“Cleaning gutters in early spring prepares them for heavy spring and summer rains, while clearing out debris in early fall removes accumulated leaves and other debris from warmer months.”
In the Chico area, it might be more practical to clean gutters later in the fall, considering that leaves tend to linger longer. Regardless, it’s advisable to inspect and clean your gutters each spring and fall to ready them for winter rains.
Frequency of Gutter Cleaning Is semiannual gutter cleaning sufficient? The answer depends on your location and the types of trees nearby. For instance, according to experts at Angie’s List:
“Twice a year is recommended for homes with oak trees, while those surrounded by pine trees may require quarterly cleaning due to the significant shedding.”
Conducting visual inspections four times a year can provide insight into the level of gutter clogs and debris accumulation. The key is not to overlook clogged gutters, regardless of frequency.