Gutters are one of those things that are usually regarded with disgust — they just signal more work and another task to check off a homeowner’s list. However, your gutters play an important role in keeping your home in good condition. Taking care of them can help you avoid other problems down the road. If you don’t have gutters, you should really start thinking about gutter installation, especially if your area is prone to heavy rain. And if you already have gutters, but aren’t cleaning them out regularly, you should consider scheduling regular gutter clean outs, to avoid gutter replacement and having to do another gutter installation. We’ll talk about what functions your gutters serve, how often gutters should be cleaned, and what to look for if you need gutter installation services or are hiring a professional gutter cleaning company.
What Do Gutters Do For My House?
Gutters help direct water flow away from your house and keeps it from settling on your roof or getting into the material of your home, which can lead to mold or rot, neither of which you want inside or outside of your home. The most common types of gutters these days are the half-round and K-style types of gutters. After the gutter collects the water, it’s directed to a downpipe which deposits the water away from the house and its foundation, to be either absorbed into the soil or collected.
Gutters can help keep your foundation solid, reduce the likelihood of flooding in your basement, prevent dampness, mold, and other issues caused by dampness from happening inside or outside of your home, reduce water damage and erosion, among other things.
How Often Should My Gutters Be Cleaned and Why?
You should be cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year. However, if you live in an area that has a lot of trees, is windier, or has bad winters, you might want to consider doing it more often. If you live in a wooded area or have a lot of trees in your neighborhood or yard, some of those leaves will inevitably end up in your gutter, clogging it. And wind can bring even more debris in. Harsh winters — with heavy ice and snow — can take a toll on your gutters, which are external, and you’ll need to clear out snow and ice from the gutters to lessen some of the weight placed on them and keep things moving along.
Though gutter cleaning never sounds like a fun job, it’s an important one. Clogged gutters are the main reason that people face issues with water in their basement. Furthermore, too much water around the soil of your foundation can lead to soil erosion or cause the soil to shift around, making your foundation potentially more unstable.
And a home that has clogged gutters that are overflowing could be holding thousands of pounds — each gallon of rainwater weighs about eight pounds. That puts a strain on your gutters and you might have to face gutter replacement sooner than you like.
What Should I Look For With Gutter Installation Services and Gutter Cleaning Companies?
Look for local gutter installation companies and gutter cleaning companies. They’ll be on hand easily if you need something and you may even be able to have family or friends recommend a specific company to you. Check out reviews and testimonials online as well to see what previous customers have said about their services.
Don’t be afraid to ask for estimates from a few different services and do ask about insurance and other services offered. You want to pick one that suits your needs the best and is in your price point, though you should keep in mind that in many cases, you do get what you pay for.
Don’t skimp on your gutters. They’re an important part of keeping your home in good condition overall and once they’re installed, you don’t want to neglect them. Scheduling regular gutter clean outs will only ultimately benefit you in the long run.