Although most of us think about gutters being important during the warm spring and summer months when showers are common, cleaning your gutters during fall is just as important. Your gutters are the first line of defense you have against water entering your home and causing damage. And if your gutters aren’t flowing properly, they can’t do the job you need them to. If you allow debris and dirt to clog them, then when the cold weather causes ice, there will be nowhere for the water to go. That can lead to flooding in your basement, rotten fascia and soffit boards, and cracked walkways and patios. These are five main reasons to find a gutter cleaning Charleston company today!
Winter is on its Way
When cold weather hits the Charleston area, it often does quickly and without warning. If you haven’t had your gutters professionally cleaned, they are probably caked with fallen leaves and dirt. When the temperature dips, that can lead to freezing in your gutters. And when the ice finally melts, the flow will be restricted. That can lead to ice dams, which leads to water seeping through your roof. Getting your gutters cleaned is a lot less expensive than repairing your roof!
Sagging Gutters can Lead to Damage
If you have dirt and debris that does freeze during a cold snap, that will weigh heavily on your gutters. Gutters are not designed to hold a whole lot of weight. Icy conditions mixed with the weight of leaves and other debris can cause your gutters to sag and pull away from the house. Not only will that cause the need for an expensive gutter repair, it will leave the water nowhere to go when the thaw comes through.
The Cost of Cleaning is Minimal Compared to Repairing Damage!
Prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to home maintenance, and your gutters are no different. The small amount of money that it takes to clean your gutters pales in comparison to having your gutters repaired, replaced, or even needing a roof repair. If your gutters can’t do the job they are supposed to, it will likely result in damage. And worst-case scenario, if you allow too much water around the foundation of your home, it can lead to structural damage. Damage to the structure of your house can be super costly to repair, if it is even possible!
Dirty Gutters are Not Healthy!
Dirty gutters that are caked with dirt and debris are breeding grounds for pests and insects. And if they can make their way into your gutters to breed, it is highly likely they will find their way indoors. Also, leaving rotting leaves in your gutters over the winter will lead to mold, which can get up under your eaves. And eventually, those mold spores can contaminate the interior environment of your home. If you already have a family member who is susceptible to allergies and respiratory illness, not having your gutters cleaned can put them in potential harm.
Ice Dams, not Common, But Very Dangerous
Although ice dams are more common in colder regions, as anyone who has lived through a South Carolinian ice storm knows, they do happen! Ice dams that are allowed to grow and spill over because you have debris build up in your gutters can pose a potentially dangerous situation for your family and passerby. It is better to make sure that your gutters are cleaned than to naively think you live in a region where you don’t have to worry about things like ice dams!
Although most people usually think about cleaning their gutters in the springtime after the cold winter months have passed, it is just as important to consider them in the fall and winter. If you haven’t had your gutters cleaned recently, then there is a good chance that they are filled with pine needles, leaves, and other falling debris. Now is a perfect time to make sure that they are in good working order and also, to ensure that things are flowing freely to keep your home and your family safe throughout the winter months. Contact Gutter Boyz, the best gutter cleaning Charleston company today to schedule your gutter cleaning service.