Do I Need to Invest in Gutter Cleaning?

Let’s analyze all of the ins and outs of gutters and why it’s so important to schedule regular gutter cleaning.

Why Is It Important to Have Gutters?

Every roof out there, whether it’s for a single family home, townhouse, brownstone condo, or apartment, the elements such as water is critical to take into consideration when wondering why you have gutters in the first place. When rainwater runs off of your roof, it has to have somewhere to go—and that’s what the gutters do. They direct the rainwater where to go.

If your gutters are not directed properly, water could collect near the foundation. Heavy rains can even result in standing pools of water which can cause HUGE problems with your foundation. Gutters protect your home from flooding inside and out—so when you do have gutters, they need to be directed properly, which is AWAY from your home.

What Happens When Your Gutters Get Clogged?

Overflowing water from the gutters can also damage the paint and siding on a home. But unsightly water marks down the side of a house pales in comparison with what happens if the water gets inside of a wall. The result is drywall damage, floods in basements, and cracking foundations are other symptoms of clogged gutters. Clogged gutters can cause fascia boards to rot, and then this situation makes it easier for water to enter homes to cause wall and ceiling damage.

It’s surprising how easily your gutters can get clogged. It only takes a few leaves or a few pine needles to create a blockage that’s impermeable enough to prevent water from flowing down downspouts. When the water has no place to go, it starts to spill over the sides of your gutters onto the ground. That’s why it’s imperative to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. Otherwise, the misdirected water can cause significant damage to your home over time.

How Often Should Your Gutters Be Cleaned?

The short answer is you should get your gutters cleaned at least twice a year. Ideally, they should have debris removed after all the leaves have fallen from the trees near your home. A good rule of thumb is to pair it with another home related task—like swapping out smoke detectors or changing the lights on your porch—anything that has to be done on a more than once a year basis.

When Do You Clean Gutters More Frequently?

This is a common sense question we receive after a severe storm which blew debris or a substantial amount of leaves, twigs, and other objects onto your roof. If you have trees that have branches that hang over your home or if your area has an overabundance of trees, this may require more frequent gutter cleaning. If you home is located in a downhill position from one or more homes or buildings where debris from those homes could easily get blown on your roof and the debris accumulates at a more rapid pace, then it may be necessary to clean your gutters more frequently.

The Bottom Line for Gutter Cleaning

Minimize the risk of damage in your home and clean your gutters at least twice or more a year. Inspect them and make sure that they are aligned properly against your eaves so that the water is drained away from you home. Observe if water is spilling over the sides; if it is, they are clogged and it’s time to clean. Gutter cleaning is one of those necessary tasks to prevent costly damage to your home. And lastly, hire a knowledgeable contractor to do the work. They have the expertise and ladder and safety training necessary to clean all of the gutters and thus minimize the homeowners’ risks.

Choose KEVCO for Gutter Cleaning Services in Washington, DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia

KEVCO is here to help protect your home from the damage caused by clogged gutters. We are proud to be the DC Metro area’s number one gutter cleaning company, with experience dating back to 1988. We are dedicated to providing our customers the best service—and the cleanest gutters!

If you live in the DC Metro area, contact KEVCO Building Services today to schedule a free gutter cleaning consultation.