Why Regular Gutter Cleaning is Important

Keeping the outside of your home looking great requires more than just keeping your lawn cut and windows clean. Gutters play a vital role in helping to keep your property protected but are often ignored until there is an issue. Over time, debris such as leaves, moss, grime, and more can start to build up in your gutters.

Keeping them clean will ensure water flows in the correct direction and reduce the risk of causing unnecessary maintenance issues. Whether living in a detached home or a modern family home, keeping your gutters in good condition will definitely make a difference.

What happens if your gutters get blocked?

Gutters are put in place to channel the rainwater from your roof into the drainage system. However, when they become blocked, the water can start to seep out of the sides of the gutter.

This can cause constant dampness to your exterior walls when it rains. Depending on how well maintained your property is and how the water flows, it can cause damp issues.

Weight can also build up as the wet leaves and debris can cause the gutter to weigh more. This can put strain on the brackets and fixings in some instances.

Issues such as these won’t always happen instantly, but regular checks can help you notice the build-up before it becomes a costly fix.

Why do gutters get leaves and moss in?

Depending on the surroundings of your property, debris can make its way into your gutters. Homes near trees can suffer from leaves, twigs and small branches getting caught in the gutters. Especially in Autumn. Moss can also grow on your roof tiles and can be dislodged during rainfall or windy days.

As time goes on, dust, seeds and other organic matter can combine with moisture to create a sludge. This can cause blockages around the outlets of the gutters if not cleaned.

Homes with less large trees nearby can still suffer. As debris can build up on roofs and heavy rainfall can push the material into the narrow drainage points.

Therefore it is a good idea to keep an eye on your gutters.

Signs that your gutters could need cleaning

One of the obvious signs that your gutters need cleaning is if water is overflowing from the sides during rainfall. You may also notice plants growing from the gutter, noticeable debris around the roofline and black marks on your exterior walls.

Other signs that you may have an issue could be water pooling at the bottom of the house, sagging sections of the gutter and slow-draining downpipes.

However, there are other reasons why your drainage may not be working. Joints can become damaged, brackets can become loose and guttering can be in the wrong position. If you have cleaned your gutters and there is still an issue, further checks may be required.

Why using a professional gutter cleaner can help

Whilst some properties can have an easy clean gutters can be risky to clean from high up. To get to the rooflines safely, you’ll need the right tools, knowledge and understanding of the layout of your building.

A professional gutter cleaner can come and clean out the build up of leaves, moss and debris. Depending on the company they may also inspect accessible sections of your gutters and note any obvious issues.

Professional gutter cleaners can be very helpful with high rise properties, hard to reach areas and properties with large rooflines. They will also save you the hassle of having to deal with a potentially awkward and lengthy job.

When booking a service, ask what they will do. Will they check the downpipes? How will they inform you of any issues found?

Keeping your roofline and exterior in good condition

Your gutters aren’t the only thing to consider when keeping your property’s exterior in good condition. The roof tiles, fascias, soffits and downpipes all play a part in how well your roofline is performing.

Over time moss and dirt can build up on your exterior and blocked gutters may cause water to overflow into nearby areas. Keeping these in good condition will make your regular maintenance more efficient.

By keeping your gutters free of debris you’ll be able to spot any obvious damage to the surrounding roofline.

Make sure you clean them correctly. Some surfaces can be damaged by too much pressure or incorrect tools. Be careful with delicate areas.

How regular should I clean my gutters?

There isn’t a set timeframe for how often you should clean your gutters. If your property is surrounded by mature trees, you may need to clean them more regularly than a property in an open space with little surrounding vegetation.

Many homeowners will have their gutters checked once or twice a year as part of their regular maintenance. This is often done in Spring and Autumn. Properties that have