How Often Should My Gutters Be Cleaned Out?

A fact of life when it comes to owning a home is doing dirty work, such as keeping yourguttersclean. Leaves, pine needles, bird’s nests, mold and other debris need to be cleaned out to make sure your gutters do not get clogged.

As the weather changes from season to season, you don’t want to forget about your gutters before it is too late. Leaves and other material can build up and you may not realize it until a big rain comes through. Letting your gutters go without attention can become costly quickly.

So, how often should your gutters be cleaned?

The answer to this question depends from expert to expert and relies on other factors, but most experts recommend your gutters to be cleaned twice a year. The best times would be once at the end of Spring and once at the end of Fall.

There are other factors that you may want to consider when it’s time to inspect your gutters. If you have trees close to your house, especially pine trees, their leaves and pine needles can shed year round. Also, if you live in a higher elevation, consider how melting ice can overwhelm clogged gutters.

Here are issues that could be caused by dirty gutters:

Critter and Insects

Citters and insects tend to be attracted to your warm, damp gutter. This is because it creates a food source for pests. Critters and insects are more likely to find a way into your house after they have been living in your gutters.

Mold

As leaves and pine needles decompose in your gutters, mold will begin to grow. Mold is not only a health hazard, it is also really tricky to clean. It’s best to prevent mold from growing in your gutters before it begins.

Leaky Roofs

Once your gutters are clogged, water will not be able to drain properly, which can eventually lead to a leaky roof. Water will slowly begin to soak through your shingles and into your home. If your gutters’ downspouts are not 6-10 feet away from your house, water can even seep into your basement.

Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks are caused by water damage and the expansion of ice can be a nightmare to fit. Consider having your downspouts are pointed away from your home to help protect your home’s foundation.

While cleaning your gutters is a job that you may be able to do yourself, you may feel better knowing that aprofessionalcan do the job more easily and securely.

AtBluewater Exteriors, located in Foley, Alabama, we have just the professionals you need. We would be happy to come and take a look at your gutters and see if we need to repair or clean them with our free estimate. Contact us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at (251) 210-7295.