Gutters can be a bit ‘out of sight out of mind’, until you start to experience problems caused by lack of gutter maintenance.
The fact is they play a very important role in ensuring a property remains structurally sound by channelling water off the roof and preventing it from soaking into walls and foundations, which is one reason you won’t want them to fall into disrepair.
Gutters get clogged with leaves, twigs and all kinds of debris that can fester and become a breeding ground for seeds, moss and weeds that have been blown in and dropped by birds. Take a look at any derelict building and you’ll probably see a small shrub or tree growing from the gutter and that’s not the worst case scenario. What happens to gutters that are left unattended is they also attract insects and vermin, something you really don’t want to happen.
All that debris clogging up the gutters will gradually accumulate and not only form blockages that prevent rainwater from flowing away from the building but will over time cause the gutters to corrode and eventually break. Hence regular gutter maintenance is absolutely vital if you want them to last longer.
Gutters are there to make sure that water is channelled off the roof and away from the property and its foundations, however, a gutter that has become blocked can stop this process from happening and can cause your foundations to flood and the roof to leak. This in the long term will have devastating and extremely expensive consequences as the stability of your property can be affected and this could actually reduce the value of the building.
Having your gutters cleaned will get rid of leaves, twigs and any other debris that can be used as nesting and breeding places for pests like rats, mice and insects that carry viruses.
Leaky gutters create moisture in your basement and this can lead to mold growth, which of course is dangerous to health.
The water that can get backed up in gutters is very heavy, weighing 8llbs per gallon which can drag the gutter attachments from the wood fascia. Clogged gutters can also damage weakened fascia boards and when that happens water can enter the property and cause wall and ceiling damage.
Gutter maintenance is vital if you want to prevent damage to walls, frames, doors and patios which will warp and rot if blockages cause them to come into contact with a constant flow of gushing water.
It depends upon the type of guttering. In recent years plastic guttering has become popular and that can last for up to 30 years due to advanced formulations during the manufacturing process.
Removing blockages, replacing any lost clips, inspecting joints at least once each year and making certain that all downspouts are secure are some of the ways in which the lifespan and durability of plastic gutters can be extended.
Other kinds of guttering like aluminium, copper and steel lasts around 20 years.
Clearing out the debris and wiping down the gutter is the absolute minimum that can be done to prevent problems from occurring but a professional clean goes much further. Using telescopic gutter clearing and vacuum tools ensures that leaves, moss and debris are thoroughly obliterated. As well as emptying gutters, restoring and reviving the external look of the guttering and fascia using water fed pole technology and specialist detergents can also be part of the service.
An amateur just can’t identify the problems in the same way a professional can. Someone with experience of cleaning hundreds of gutters will be able to look out for signs of wear and tear, nesting etc. They know how to deal with the problem and also know how to stay safe while doing so.
Hire a professional gutter expert and they will do the job so much faster and more efficiently. If you’ve only done the job occasionally if ever, you’re unlikely to have the right gear to tackle the problem. Indeed you may not realise how much work is actually involved.
The expert will easily inspect the gutter for any signs of damage as well as wear and tear, you on the other hand might not be able to notice rust or cracks around your gutters. Put simply, a professional will never miss them.
Expect cleaning to be carried out from ground level, using a specially designed and adapted brush system to gently and effectively reach into all gaps, removing all traces of dirt and contamination.
It’s an approach that means the whole process is speedier, less messy, and there is no risk of damage to your house or garden. The Direct Cleaning Group uses environmentally safe and biodegradable cleaning products for gutter cleaning to give you further peace of mind.
If your property is surrounded by overhanging trees, you should have your gutters checked frequently to ensure they’re not blocked by falling branches, twigs and leaves, but in any case gutter maintenance should be scheduled over autumn after leaves have fallen and to ensure that when the heavy rain snow and ice of winter arrives, they won’t become damaged and again in spring to ensure they have suffered no damage during the harsher winter conditions.
At Direct Cleaning Group, we are the leading experts in our field offering state-of-the-art cleaning services. Here you can find more information about our gutter cleaning services, as well as tips to help maintain your gutters.
Looking for a gutter cleaning service? Get in touch today by calling 03300 02 02 88 or sending an email to info@directcleaninggroup.co.uk.
