Four Reasons to Invest in Gutter Cleaning

Your home is likely the largest purchase you’ll make, and it’s essential to keep up with routine maintenance. From gutter cleaning to HVAC inspections, flushing the hot water heater, aerating the lawn, and draining sprinkler systems, the chore list teems with seasonal, annual, and even monthly chores. It often feels never-ending and even overwhelming. However, skipping maintenance chores can lead to costly issues.

Gutters do more than just catch debris. Gutters protect your home from water damage that’s expensive to repair. Routine gutter cleaning eliminates clogs and keeps the water flowing. If you ignore the gutter cleaning, the consequences can be costly.

Let’s look at four reasons to invest in routine gutter cleaning.

1. Prevent Foundation Damage

Water is powerful and a major threat to concrete. A clean gutter allows water to flow into the downspout and then away from the home. With debris build-up, the water collects in the gutter and spills over the sides. When it overflows, the ground near the foundation saturates. Oversaturation due to gutter overflow can lead to foundation cracks, which can contribute to water/moisture in crawl spaces and basements, followed by the development of mold—all because of clogged gutters.

Did you know that the average cost to fix foundation damage can cost between $2,000 and $7,000? It’s more cost effective to keep the gutters clean and the water flowing properly.

2. Protect the Roof, Siding, and Windows from Leaks and Rot

The Cincinnati area averages 42-inches of precipitation yearly, according to U.S. Climate Data. That’s 132 days of precipitation with January, March, and June being the wettest months. When the rain falls or the snow melts, your gutters must be ready to do their job. Clogged gutters create overflow, as discussed above, and when they run down the side of the home it can cause leaks and rot around the windows, siding, and doors. Overflow also can seep under the shingles, leading to costly roof damage and even water leaks into the attic.

In addition, any gutter installed improperly can cause issues. If it’s not behind the drip edge or if the shingles cover the gutter, the water will run down the side of the home. A professional gutter cleaning team can tell you if the gutter is installed improperly.

3. Reduce Erosion

The brutal force of water erodes mountains and shorelines without effort. Water from clogged or improperly installed gutters has the power to erode the soil and landscaping close to your home. Your home should have a downspout for every 20 feet of gutter. The downspout must slope away from the home and foundation to avoid erosion and foundation damage. It’s recommended that the slope should be approximately six inches of drop for each six feet of slope.

4. Eliminate Pests and Nests that Can be Harmful

Birds, mice, wasps, and other critters love to build their homes in your clogged gutters. Not only does this stop the proper flow of water, but it can be hazardous for you. Wasps in particular pose a threat, and mice in the gutter can quickly lead to mice in the home. Let a professional gutter cleaning team remove debris at least twice a year (more if your property has a lot of trees) and it will help keep these pests from making a home in your gutters.

Ready to invest in professional gutter cleaning? Look to the pros at United Window Cleaning for their expertise in gutter cleaning and more. It doesn’t matter the size or height of your home, our teams have the knowledge, equipment, and training to get the job done safely and right the first time. Contact us today