Keeping Your Gutters Clean Is Well Worth It

Gutters are long channels attached to your roof to help redirect water and help protect your house from water damage. Rainwater will always flow toward where it is lowest, and without an efficient gutter system, or with a defective one, the water that pools could eventually result in basement flooding and walls cracking; both of which require expensive repairs.

An efficient and well-maintained gutter system is important. When they are functioning properly, they can channel rainwater to downspouts where water is drained away from the foundations. Maintaining and cleaning your gutters before the start of every season will, in the long run, save you a tidy amount on basement repairs, leaks, or other structural damages. As in any other part of your home, without maintenance, gutters can break and when they do, they become useless. Some common causes for gutter deterioration are:

• Clogged channels caused by accumulation of leaves. You can easily clean these out; if left alone, decaying leaves will cause gutters to rust and break.
• Storm damage. Strong winds and debris can tear a gutter away from the side of your roof.
• Ice damage. During winter, ice and snow can form in gutters. This can clog gutters and damage them by exposing them to too much moisture, or by the sheer weight of the ice on them.

Regular cleaning and installing gutter guards can solve these, which helps prevent leaves and other environmental debris from settling into the gutters.