Gutters are one of the underrated parts of your home. They’re more than just a piece of galvanized iron formed nicely and attached to the roof of the house. Every time it rains, gutters serve as a catch basin for rainwater then redirect it down to the ground.
Unfortunately, gutters are overlooked and neglected most of the time. Since gutters are one of the hard-to-reach areas of the house, they are often left out of the cleaning checklist.
If not cleaned regularly, a gunked up gutter may cause trouble. Believe it or not, fallen leaves and other debris stuck on your gutter can cause damage to both the interior and exterior of your house.
That’s why gutter cleaning is an integral part of housekeeping. Ask one of Sydney’s guttering specialists and they’ll say the same thing.
So how often should they be cleaned?
Fallen leaves are the major culprits in clogging up your gutter. That’s why cleaning schedules of your gutter will largely depend on how many trees are there in your yard or your neighbour’s yard.
According to experts, the fall and spring seasons are the best time to clean your gutters. But it doesn’t mean you must have it maintained only during those times.
If there are trees within the vicinity of your home that shed their leaves all year round, you might need much more regular maintenance. But if not, once every four months is a good interval for gutter cleaning.
Keep in mind that moulds and honeycombs tend to grow on gutters, too. Clogged up gutters are also perfect headquarters for pests and rodents. They aren’t picky with the seasons so make sure to check it regularly for any type of infestations.
Make use of leaf guards
Gutter covers are a great way to reduce the chances of leaves clogging up your gutters. But keep in mind that these covers don’t eliminate the clogging. Instead of cleaning them every four months, you can reduce that to only once a year.
According to professional cleaners, about 20% of debris can still clog up your gutters even with the covers in place. It’s also important to note that installing quality gutter covers is a must. The quality of your leaf guards will ultimately affect how often you need to maintain your gutter.
When shopping for a gutter cover, choose the one that is durable enough to hold a large number of leaves. It’s also important to know the length of your gutter so everything will be covered.
Should you DIY gutter cleaning or hire somebody else?
While most dads can do the gutter maintenance themselves, there’s no denying that it can be dangerous. If the gutter cleaning isn’t done with caution, anything could go wrong. You can cut yourselves if you touch the galvanized iron without gloves. Worse, you can fall hard and receive permanent injuries if you’re not using a sturdy ladder.
That’s why as much as possible, we recommend that you hire professional gutter cleaners instead of doing it yourself. Professionals are experienced enough to avoid these kinds of accidents while getting the job done.
Experts can do an exceptional job of cleaning every nook and cranny of your gutter system, including the downspouts!
Aside from cleaning the gutters, you can also ask them to install leaf guards if you’re looking to upgrade your home with gutter covers. It’s a great way to save money, so if you can spare a few dollars, invest in a quality cover.
Thinking of doing general cleaning in your home? Don’t forget to put the gutters on the checklist. Get your gutters fixed and cleaned while the weather is nice!
