The answer to how often you should clean your gutters is generally one to two times a year, once in the spring, and once in the fall. This is dependent on the weather conditions and temperatures of the area you live in, so you may want to consult with a roof cleaning expert in our area to hear their recommendation. To see why it’s important to stick to a regular cleaning schedule, read on.
To Avoid Roof Damage
As mentioned, leaving your gutter uncleaned and full of debris can lead to costly damage that will end up being expensive to repair. This is because when your gutter is clogged, rainwater cannot find an easy path off of your roof. This will result in rain soaking on your roof, potentially leaking through into your house. The sheer weight of the water is also enough to rip your gutter right off, damaging your roof on the way. Besides incurring the expenses of fixing both the roof and gutter, you may also have to contend with water damage inside the house, a scenario anyone would rather avoid.
To Keep Your Roof Free of Mold
The debris on your roof needs just enough moisture if left unattended, and it will let mold start to grow. This will leave the surface of your roof looking filthy, and if left long enough, it will find its way into your house. Mold indoors will lead to countless health problems for you and your family, costing you a lot of money treating the health issues as well as leaving you with costly repairs to attend to. Comparing this with the time and expense it will take to clean your gutters, you can clearly see the better option to take.
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To Avoid Destroying Your Driveway
While your gutter may seem to have no relation to your driveway, the two connect at the point where the gutter drains off to the ground. When water pools up in the gutter and steadily drips down onto your driveway, it will create weak points on the driveway. The same goes for when water pools on your roof for a long time, being released in a sudden gush every now and then. To maintain the integrity of your driveway, make sure that your gutters are clean enough to allow proper drainage as they were designed to do.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Clearly, it’s important to keep your gutter free of debris. To clean it in the best way possible, follow these handy tips:
- Wear safety equipment like goggles, a hard hat and gloves to keep yourself safe.
- Get help if possible, so you have less likelihood of slipping while climbing to or from the roof.
- Prepare everything you need before you start to avoid moving around a lot in search of equipment you need.