The winter season can be detrimental to your home. Snow, ice, and strong winds can turn your holiday season into a winter storm. This, in turn, can damage your exterior and roof, chip away paint, and ruin your gutters. Your gutters are especially prone to the seasonal changes, since they’re exposed to the conditions. Fortunately, these tips for winter gutter maintenance will protect your gutters for even the worst winter weather—especially in Maryland and Virginia.

Keep Gutters Clear of Debris

This is probably the most obvious solution to gutter maintenance. Keeping gutters debris-free will make sure they are working efficiently. Be sure to clean your gutters during a thaw or clear day. Snow and ice can accumulate, so you should consider installing a heat cable or de-icing system. This will ensure no ice dams develop in the extreme cold. It will also prevent roof damage and leaking.

Check for Structural Damage

The siding of your gutters is important for protecting their interior. Be mindful of staining, rotting, or other water damage. Cracks or gaps in your gutters can lead to water damage on your home’s exterior. Repair these gaps as soon as possible.

Invest in Gutter Covers

Gutter covers or guards are used to prevent clogged gutters and damage. There are four main types of gutter guards: brush, foam, surface tension, and screen. Brush gutter guards prevent large debris from blocking the passageway, but do not effectively block small debris. Foam guards resemble Styrofoam and prevent large objects from blocking water flow. However, they do not prevent algae or plant growth. Surface tension guards narrow the gutter openings which reduces clogging. Lastly, screen gutter guards are micromesh guards that protect against small and large debris. These are the most common and most effective guards used. Typically, screen guards are made of metal or plastic and can be mounted on or snapped in place.

Keep Surrounding Areas Trimmed and Clear

Similarly, you should ensure the area around your gutters is clean and maintained, too. Trim trees to prevent leaves and branches from building up. Likewise, snow or ice can accumulate on tree branches causing it to crash down and damage your gutters and house.

If you don’t feel comfortable with gutter work, contact us at Gutter Maid for the best gutter cleaning in Maryland. Don’t wait for the worst of snow, ice, and wind to hit. Call us to protect your gutters and home from the winter conditions.

Gutters are an important aspect of your home maintenance as they help to prevent the rainwater from seeping into your roof, walls, landscape, and foundation. Due to this important function, you have to ensure that your gutters are free of debris and clutter, so it will allow the rainwater to get drained.

Unfortunately, gutters get clogged often due to accumulation of leaves and other debris and this can prevent the smooth run-off of rainwater. To prevent such clogs, you should clean your gutters often. In fact, experts say that gutter cleaning should be done at least twice a year.

So, why should you hire a gutter cleaning company? Here are some more reasons to clean your gutter with the right gutter cleaning services company.

Rain Water

Now you might wonder why in the world should you worry so much about rainwater? First off, statistics show that an inch of summer rainfall can pour nearly 1500 gallons of water on your home! This is a lot of water and it has to be drained completely. Even small amounts of water stagnation can cause damage to your building structure, especially the roof.

Many times, clogged gutters are the single biggest reason for roof leakages and damage. This is particularly true if you have shingles on your roof as it can lead to the formation of ice dams as well.

Also, rainwater can seep into your foundation, walls, and indoor areas. If it is severe, it can have a drastic impact on your interior decorations too.

Avoids Breeding

Besides protecting rainwater damage, dirty gutters can serve as the perfect breeding ground for bees, pests, and other insects. If your gutters are covered, it can even give rise to the growth of molds inside. On the other hand, when you have open gutters, water stagnation can lead to mosquito menace! You’ll know its implications if you happen to stand on your deck or in your yard.

Fascia Boards

Fascia board is the one that is mounted just below your gutter and it is the one that holds your gutter in place. When your gutters are blocked, water will constantly overflow from it and after some time, this will cause the fascia to rot.

When the fascia rots, it gives direct access for pests to enter your attic!

Extends the Life of Your Gutters

When you clean the gutters often, they last longer. When you don’t the additional debris increases its weight and at the same time, it can cause rust and corrosion too. All this can lead to major repairs for you. Hiring a professional gutter cleaning company is your best bet to make sure your investment lasts for a long time.

Saves Money

Though you may think cleaning gutters can be a drain, in fact, is the opposite. When your gutters are clean, the possibility for roof or structural damage is greatly reduced and this translates to direct savings for you. In addition, there are many low cost gutter cleaning services available today, so the entire cleaning process will not cost you a whole lot and it is usually completed within a day or so.

In short, clogged gutters are a financial bomb ticking to go off in your home. Most times, they can lead to structural damage, seepage, roof repairs, and a breeding ground for pests. To avoid all these problems, take the help of a professional gutter cleaning services company to maintain the health and longevity of your gutters and through it, your home. In the long run, it can help you to save money as well.

It’s easier to maintain the interior of your house than the exterior. Easier might not be the word, exactly — though it’s certainly easier to remember that you need to keep the inside of your house clean, than it is to remember that you need to take care of things like gutter cleaning. This is why some people prefer to have the basics in terms of maintaining their home’s exterior taken care of by professionals. Though you don’t necessarily have to clean gutters often — at least twice a year — the job is something of an undertaking no matter what. The same can be said of cleaning your roof, ensuring that your house’s appearance is well-maintained, or handling something like a leaf guard installation. There are many benefits of having these tasks handled by professionals, especially if you only need to do so intermittently. Yes, you may be tempted to handle them by yourself; but why would you if you have the option to ensure that the job is done right? Below, we’re going to look into the advantages of working without professionals to handle everything from gutter installations to cleanings, repairing your roof, and more exterior work.

1. Cost Efficiency

You probably would think that cleaning gutters on your own is more cost efficient than working with professionals. Certainly, you don’t have to pay yourself. But you will have to pay for the materials involved in these tasks. This is particularly notable when you’re handling a gutter installation. You can order everything yourself — but do you know that you’re getting the best deal? For that matter, are you buying the products that are the best fit for what you want and what your home needs? It can be hard to tell when you’re not doing something that is strictly your job. Working with professionals means that you’re getting the best deal possible, from people who often have access to deals that you yourself wouldn’t necessarily be able to arrange. This will also save you a lot of time — rather than working with dozens of price comparisons and ensuring that you’re buying everything that you need to buy, you can simply outsource the work to a professional company.

2. Safety

You may know the basics behind a gutter installation, but can you really handle it safely? Can you clean gutters safely, or patch a hole in your roof without issue? The fact is that it can be difficult to do these things. They require a lot of physical labor, much of which is done a good distance off the ground. A lot of people rather easily injure themselves when they’re in the process of handling gutter installations. While you can run the risk yourself, it’s probably a better idea to just rely on professionals. The last thing you would want is to hurt yourself or others while working on a job that isn’t your forte. Though it’s still a little difficult for the professionals to handle some jobs, they know what they’re doing and are at far less risk than the laymen.

3. Efficiency

The fact is that it’s just a lot simpler to hand this kind of tedious job off of a company. Do you really want to spend your weekends cleaning your gutters? You can let a professional gutter cleaning company do the job, and you’ll end up saving a lot of time and energy. You won’t have to worry about whether or not things have been done correctly, and you can just relax! This kind of efficiency will allow you to be able to focus on other things. Take full advantage of it!

Again, you don’t have to hire a gutter cleaning company. You don’t have to outsource any of the exterior work that must be done to your house. But working with professionals will ensure that the job is done well, and you have far less to worry about.

Keeping up with your house’s roof is easier said than done. For one thing, different roofs are made of different materials, and therefore require different types of care and keeping. A roof is also not to be taken care of on its own — you also have to think about its gutters. Caring for a roof is really difficult because it’s difficult for most of us to do it safely. Plenty of people have been injured — sometimes severely — when trying to handle everything from cleaning their roofs to gutter installations on their own. With that being said, one of the reasons people end up working with professional gutter cleaning services and professional roofers is that they just don’t have the time to put that kind of maintenance into their homes.

We all live busy lives, and handling your own gutter cleaning and roof repairs may very well be out of your capabilities. Below, we’re going to look into some of the things you should know about your roofs and gutters, as well as why hiring a professional gutter cleaning company may be the right option for you and your home.

How Can I Maintain My Roof?

Different types of roofs last longer than others — which, if you’re in the midst of building a home or replacing a roof, is something to keep in mind. You may pay more for one material upfront, but it might, in fact, last longer than others; therefore, you won’t have to overinvest in replacing your roof early or repairing it more often than you would with other roofing materials. If a roof is made of lower quality materials and is over 20 years old, it’s more likely to succumb not only to extreme weather events, but inclement weather in general, like snow or rain, or even high winds. If you’re working with professional roofers, they’ll be able to best advise the best options for your area, as well as your home in general. They’ll be able to ascertain whether or not your roof is able to hold the 15 to 30 pounds weight necessary for it to last long, and can also offer you different roof materials, like metal or asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles can come in two different types, including organic and fiberglass. On the other hand, metal roofing is such a strong option that, should you choose it, your homeowner’s insurance may lower by up to 35%! Ultimately, you need to pick the type of roof that’s right for you — but keep in touch with the company you work with afterward.

Why Should You Hire A Gutter Cleaning Company?

Many roofing companies also offer professional gutter cleaning services. But even if you can hire professional gutter cleaning services, should you? Why shouldn’t you just clean out your own gutter? For one thing, as previously mentioned, you can easily end up hurting yourself if you attempt to clean your gutters by yourself. Another issue that can come up with gutter cleaning is just how labor-intensive the task can be. On average a gutter should be cleaned about twice a year. However, when you put it off you may be surprised by how clogged your gutters can get. Working with professional gutter cleaning services means that you don’t have to worry about it. For that matter, if the same company that cleans your gutters is also able to maintain and repair your roof, you’ll be even better off!

Why Clean My Gutter In The First Place?

Gutter cleaning is tedious and it may seem like an expense you don’t need. However, it’s also just a part of home maintenance, and shouldn’t be ignored. Remembered that clogged or overflowing gutters are not just unsightly — they’re also holding thousands of pounds of water, and that could damage your roof and your home’s structure in general. Staying on top of this means that you’ll be staying on top of your home’s general maintenance.

When people think of what the most important parts off their house are, their mind likely goes to things such as the roof, windows, siding, a retaining wall, or insulation. However, your home’s unsung hero is the gutters. They provide a place for water to go when it rains and storms, and they protect those who enter and leave your home. Having gutters that are not functioning properly can do a lot of damage to your property and the people around your home. Thus, it is important to know when it’s time to clean your gutters without having to check them all the time. Below is a list of some questions to ask yourself.

When is the last time I cleaned them?

Knowing that it is important to clean your gutters at least twice a year should tell you roughly when you should clean them next. For example, if your gutters have not been cleaned since November and it is currently June, they should have already been cleaned once this year. While many people recommend that your gutters be cleaned once a year, cleaning them (or having a gutter cleaning service provider do it for you) every six months can be very helpful.

Do my gutters appear to be draining water properly?

Whenever there is rain, however light it may be, it is helpful to check your downspouts to see if water is draining properly. If they appear to be, it is likely okay to wait until the next regular cleaning. However, if they do not appear to be draining correctly, there may be an unexpected blockage somewhere within the gutter. If this happens, your gutters need to be checked immediately! There is likely a clog somewhere. A clogged gutter could be holding thousands of pounds of water, and how long do you expect them to be able to withstand that? Whether you are hiring a professional gutter cleaning company or doing it yourself, this is always an urgent matter. These regular checks can be very helpful for maintaining the health of your gutters (preventing a possible need for gutter replacement) and the overall health of your home, considering just one inch of summer rainfall pours about 1,500 gallons of water onto your roof. Also, regular roof maintenance is important.

Have there been high winds lately?

Whether due to a storm or the fact that you simply live in a windy climate, high winds happen. Take a look at your yard; is it covered in leaves, twigs, and other debris? If your yard is covered in these types of things, imagine what could be in your gutters. Storms that also include rain can be especially dangerous to your home in this regard. If your yard is covered in debris, your gutters should be checked soon or even replaced, depending on how the winds affected them. A gutter cleaning service provider will then likely need to be called unless you do it yourself.

If you do decide to hire a gutter cleaning service provider, you want to make sure that you hire a good one. In many parts of Maryland and Virginia, GutterMaid is one of the leading gutter cleaning service providers around. They are highly recommended by many customers. Consider checking out their website today for all your gutter cleaning needs! Their professional staff will assist you with whatever you need. GutterMaid also offers leaf protection for your gutters. Consider talking to one of their professionals today to find out what type of leaf protection is right for your house.

You’ve probably heard that you should tend to your gutters at least once or twice a year — usually during the more temperate seasons like spring and fall. But we all know how busy homeowners can get. You probably have a lot of home upkeep tasks to tend to, which can make it easy to fall behind in some areas. But your roof and gutter maintenance shouldn’t fall by the wayside. If you do ignore your need for gutter cleaning services, you could face some serious issues that will end up costing a lot of time and money to repair. Let’s take a look at the three risks you take when you don’t hire a gutter cleaning company on a regular basis.

Structural Damage

One of the biggest issues you might face when you fail to hire professional gutter cleaners is the extensive damage clogged gutters can do to your home. If water overflows from those clogs, it can be directed right down to your home’s foundation. This can subsequently soften the soil and lead to foundation cracks. Not only can this be difficult and expensive to fix, but it can even jeopardize the structural integrity of the entire building. In addition, clogged gutters can cause wood in your home to rot, which can then spread to areas like the attic. These clogged gutters can also cause roof damage and eventually allow water to seep into your home through leaks, which can be challenging to detect and repair. Of course, this can even lead to flooding, which isn’t surprising when you consider that clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Ultimately, gutter cleaning technicians can protect your home from the elements — and prevention is always far simpler than damage control.

Infestations and Illnesses

You might not realize it, but forgetting to hire a gutter cleaning company can actually put your loved ones’ health at risk. That’s because clogged gutters can make your home more attractive to all kinds of pests, such as termites, ants, and rodents. The rotting leaves and branches that get stuck in your gutters are tantalizing to many of these creatures, as is standing water. And if your home sustains any structural damage as a result of clogged gutters, it’ll be even easier for these pests to find their way inside. Not only can they do a lot of damage to your home, but some animals can eat through wiring and cause a fire hazard. Others carry diseases that can make your family sick. What’s more, mold can grow as a result of ignored water damage — and that can be a problem for family members with respiratory issues. Keep in mind that seasonal allergens will also be able to infiltrate your home more easily when your gutters are clogged, which means your loved ones might not feel quite so healthy as they could this spring if you don’t work with a gutter cleaning company.

Landscaping Issues

Dealing with damage to both the interior and exterior of your home should be enough to convince you to call your gutter cleaning company this spring. But you’ll actually risk even more property problems if you don’t clean out your gutters. The water that ends up overflowing from your gutters can actually do irreparable harm to any grass and plants located below. The water will wash away mulch, which can hurt the soil on which your plants rely. The erosion can be so substantial that you may not be able to salvage that portion of your landscaping. Your driveway can also become damaged as a result of your damaged gutters, leading to cracks, holes, and uneven surfaces. It may mean you’ll end up paying for driveway repairs or even replacement before too long — and it can be a safety hazard for both residents and visitors.

Given all the risks you’ll take by not attending to your gutters this spring, hiring a professional gutter cleaning company sounds like an excellent idea. Contact us now to make your appointment for spring cleaning — and by doing so, you’ll likely be able to avoid all of the headaches listed here.