We get it. It’s easy to forget about your gutters. Keeping your gutters clear of debris and clogs sounds like it should be a fairly easy task. Don’t be fooled.
I have gutter guards. Do I really need cleanings?
We’ve tested droves of gutter guards that make the promise that your gutters won’t need to be cleaned. While these products make promises to keep your gutters clear, they all fail to deliver.
Over time, gutter guards get clogged with small debris, preventing water from being properly diverted away from your home. Eventually, gutter guards can block your gutters entirely, keeping anything, even water from entering the system and being properly channeled away from your foundation.
I don’t have that many trees around my house. Do I really need cleanings?
You don’t need a lot of trees on your property to get some pretty clogged up gutters. Even a couple of trees produce enough fall foliage to render your gutter system ineffective once clogged. Add in other debris brought in on the wind from neighboring trees, and you’re looking at a serious situation, should you choose to neglect your gutters.
Are clogged gutters really a problem? Won’t the water still drain down?
Yes! They are a problem—potentially a big problem! If your gutters are clogged, the wet debris will be heavy. The more debris, the more stress your gutters will have to endure.
Too much debris in your gutters could lead to improper pitch. Pitch is the angle at which your gutters are mounted. Improper pitch could have a few detrimental effects: your gutters not draining correctly and added stress to the fascia. Gutters are mounted to the fascia, and that wood has its limits. Your gutters and their mounting hardware are only rated to handle so much weight.
The problem of the water draining is two-fold: if water isn’t draining, it’s hanging out in your gutters making them heavier and heavier. If the water is draining improperly, it could be pooling near your home’s foundation. Improper drainage could lead to basement flooding and damage to your home’s foundation. Improper drainage could also damage your landscaping and cause unwanted erosion to your yard.
What should I do?
Fall is a time when neglecting your gutters is simply foolish. You’re in danger if you think they’ll “just be fine.” At Ned Stevens, we want to help you make the best choices possible for your home. We can clean and inspect your gutters, repair any damage found, or even install new gutters on your home. We can also make sure that your drains are in working order and that water is being properly diverted away from your home. Because of the importance of your home’s health, we recommend three gutter cleanings during fall to ensure that your home is protected and ready for the storms and cold of winter.
If you want to keep your gutters out of the danger zone, now’s your chance. Contact us today to schedule a cleaning and get on the right side of the weather while there’s still time. New customer? No worries. Let us offer you a deal to sweeten the pot—how about $25 off your first cleaning?