Important Reasons To Keep Your Gutters Clean

A report from Prime Time Window Cleaning gives a clear picture of the damage that can be caused by failing to clean out your gutters each year.

They report that millions of dollar in damage are caused to Chicago area homes. The lesson to be learned can be applied across the nation. When Fall comes calling, homeowners must clean out their gutters.

One Prime Time Windows customer writes, "Naturally you might be thinking that this is one chore you would rather avoid this year especially with the busy holiday season rapidly approaching. Chances are you have ignored this time-consuming but vital home improvement chore in the past but if this winter is even half as destructive as the last, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in damage to your investment."

What's wrong with clogged gutters?

The risks to skipping out on this task are easy enough to see. As leaves and debris build up in your guttering system there become blockages. Instead of watering flowing easily into downspouts, it backs up onto eaves, the roof, and other parts of your house eventually leading to rot.

This in turn can lead to interior home damage to walls and ceilings. Overly full gutters can also become extremely heavy. This can bend the gutters and their brackets, causing unsightly damage to the exterior of your home.

Fox news reports, "Even flooded basements and cracking foundations are other symptoms of clogged gutters. If water isn’t drained away from the house and it pools around the foundation it will expand when frozen and cause cracks which lead to floods in your basement or crawl space."

That’s a lot of damage from some fallen leaves! The first order of business is not procrastinating. If you wait until it’s miserably cold outside you may be tempted to skip this yearly task. If you wait even longer you may miss you opportunity as snow and ice fill your gutter systems.

Thankfully, all it takes is a few simple tools and some elbow grease

As you set out to complete this job, be sure to gather the correct tools. You’ll need comfortable gloves, trash cans or bags, a ladder, garden trowel, and a hose.

Begin by scooping out the large debris and depositing it into your bag or can. Next, scrape any remaining deposits with your trowel. Finally, clean out the gutter with a steady stream of water from your home. If you find an area in a downspout, for example, that is clogged and can’t be reached simply use a plumbing snake to push the blockage on through.

A little upkeep goes a long ways when it comes to gutters. Now you have a clean system that not only look good, but are also going to save you time and money in the future!