Gutter Cleaning 101 – How Often To Clean Your Gutters in NC
Gutter Cleaning 101 – How Often To Clean Your Gutters in NC
As a North Carolina homeowner, there’s nothing glamorous about having gunk and debris cleaned out of your gutters. But don’t be tempted to overlook regular gutter cleaning and maintenance! Neglecting your gutters and allowing debris to collect can lead to clogs, which often have costly consequences. When you take the time to schedule a professional gutter cleaning, you can prevent long-term damage to your home- and your wallet. As Raleigh’s gutter cleaning experts, we’ve broken down the risks of clogged gutters, what special considerations North Carolina homeowners should make while scheduling gutter maintenance, and how often our experts recommend having your gutters cleaned. Read on to save yourself time, money, and effort dealing with your gutter system.
What Are the Risks of Clogged Gutters?
Gutter maintenance may feel like a hassle, but letting debris develop into clogged gutters comes with a host of risks. When you clean regularly, you’re saving yourself time, effort, and money in the long run.
Leaves, twigs, and debris nestled in your gutters make an ideal home for household pests to nest. Keep in mind that squirrels, insects, and other animals are not only a noisy nuisance; they carry disease and can cause serious damage to your gutters and your home’s structural integrity. Gutter waste can also hold water that encourages mold and mildew growth. Furthermore, when you allow leaves, twigs, and dirt to collect unchecked in your gutters, you’re creating a buildup that prevents your gutter system from doing its job: diverting the flow of water! When rain rolls off your roof and settles in your gutters, it can lead to long-term fascia board damage and roof leaks.
In addition, the dirty water that collects in your gutters will eventually overflow and spill down the sides of your home’s exterior. We’ve seen water overflow damage the landscaping our customers have worked hard to cultivate! Water and debris can land on your hedges, and damage or drown your flowerbeds. But the greatest risk lies in water that falls from your gutters, pooling at the base of your home and seeping into building foundation. When soil is saturated, it causes excessive stress that weakens the foundation that keeps your home standing. While cleaning your gutters regularly may feel like an inconvenience, recurring maintenance prevents you from having to rid your home of pests and mold and may save you from writing a big check to mend catastrophic damage to your foundation or exterior.
What Should NC Homeowners Keep in Mind?
There are a few factors NC homeowners should keep in mind when considering how often to have their gutters cleaned. Consider the layout of your home and yard; do you have any trees near your home that could shed leaves or twigs into your gutters? Many trees native to North Carolina are notorious for dropping debris for homeowners to find. Popular loblolly pine and the Leyland Cyprus sheds needles, and the oak trees found in many North Carolinian yards are well-known for producing acorns that can collect in gutters. Our humid climate can also cause more water and moisture to collect in your gutters, which may necessitate a look at when, exactly, you should schedule the days you have your gutters cleaned.
How Often Should You Have Your Gutters Cleaned?
Our gutter cleaning experts recommend having your gutters cleaned at least twice a year as a general rule of thumb: once in the spring, and once in the fall, after the majority of leaves fall off the trees. That way, your gutter cleaning professional can clear the season’s debris. If you have a tree positioned close to your home where it could shed into your gutters, it’s well worth having your gutters cleaned more often; a quarterly cleaning job may be more appropriate. It’s also important to check your gutters after a severe thunderstorm or hurricane when water can put undue weight on your gutter system. It’s crucial to keep an eye on your gutters during the winter months, as well. While ice storms are rare in our temperate Carolina climate, when water collects and freezes in your gutters, it can spell disaster. If you’re unsure, bringing in a gutter cleaning expert can ultimately save you thousands of dollars in mending damage caused by clogged gutters. A knowledgeable professional can help you find the best cleaning schedule to suit your home’s specific needs.
Leave Your Gutter Cleaning to Us
If you’re a Raleigh homeowner seeking the peace of mind that well-maintained gutters can bring, we’d love to work with you! Our expert technicians will remove any debris, wash your gutters with low-pressure water to remove dirt and grime, carefully check for defects, damage, and improper installation. We’ll keep your gutters in top condition so you never have to worry about damage to your home. Click here learn more about our gutter cleaning service and experience the Fairway difference, or here to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!