This is Why You Need to Clean Your Gutters Regularly

How often do you think about your gutters? We’re going to take a guess and say not for a very long time. Are we right?

We are, aren’t we? That’s because unless your gutters aren’t working properly, you probably don’t even notice that they are there in the first place. And trust us, this is totally normal.

However, if you own a home, it’s so important that you think about your gutters regularly, and not just think about them, but make sure they are cleaned and maintained regularly.

Your gutters are actually one of the most important parts of your home’s entire structure, as they help to redirect water around and away from your home – keeping you and your home safe.

If you leave your gutters to fend for themselves, it can lead to a whole host of issues occurring. Keep reading to find out exactly why you should always have your gutters cleaned.

Here’s what can happen if you don’t get your gutters cleaned

1.      You might damage your roof

When you leave debris like twig and dirt on your roof and in your gutters, it can lead to clogging and blockages.

While this may occur suddenly, especially if you’ve had stormy weather recently, sometimes the blockage can be quite gradual and be occurring over a long period of time.

While any blockage is not ideal, when it happens gradually it can lead to serious damage because this debris can lead to other issues, like mould, lichen, moss, and algae build up. Because your roof and gutters tend to have moisture on them quite a bit, it is a breeding ground for these things to build up.

When mould, lichen, algae, and moss are left to build up, it can lead to erosion, holes, rust and even misdirection of water. This could lead to leaks into your home, or damage to your property and landscaping.

It can also lead to areas of your gutters and draining system to not be working as efficiently or as they should be at all. Because your roof and gutter work so closely together, when one is impacted the other one will likely be affected as well. Regular cleaning of your gutters (and roof) can help clear up these blockages and any build-up of mould, algae, or anything else.

2.      Clean gutters can help you avoid flooding

When gutters are not cleaned properly and blockages occur, there are many things that can happen, including gutters overflowing.

When gutters overflow, if not taken care of right away, there can be significant damage to your home. Overflow can seep into your internal walls, or into your home’s foundation.

This is a big problem, even if you don’t have a basement or underground storage. That’s because the water can compromise your home’s structure if it is left to seep into your home’s foundation.

If you do have a basement that floods, your walls, and paint can peel and be damaged significantly if it floods.

3.      Clean gutters mean other issues can be spotted easier

If no maintenance or cleaning is performed on your gutters, the likelihood of you noticing any problems before they occur are slim.

When people neglect their gutters, major damage can occur, and this damage can be costly. The most frustrating part is, a lot of the time, this damage is completely avoidable.

During a cleaning service, a gutter specialist will be able to identify any issues that could potentially lead to major problems in the future, so it’s best to be proactive.

4.      Clean gutters keep the pests away

It’s no secret, most creepy crawlies, and critters we want to avoid love nothing more than moist, damp environments.

Two creatures that are particularly at home in this sort of environment are mosquitoes and rats. And unfortunately, they can breed fast and actually cause illnesses in humans.

Not only can these pests cause harm to your health, but they can also impact your home’s structural integrity.

Luckily, with regular cleaning, this can be easily avoided.

Look after your gutters with some professional help

If you have a home, looking after its gutters is vital to ensuring its longevity.

Make sure you have your gutters cleaned, inspected, and maintained by a specialist today.

You can work with a Sydney gutter specialist today to take care of your home’s gutters!