Why You Should Clean Your Gutters (and when it's time for new ones)

With the season of falling leaves comes debris-clogged gutters and the need for gutter cleaning. Not cleaning your gutters can lead to costly home repairs if water starts to seep into your home or if the standing water becomes a breeding ground for pests. This week, we're talking about why you should clean your gutters and when it's time for new ones!

Why you should clean your gutters:

Ideally, gutter cleaning should happen once or twice a year. If only once, do it in the autumn so that you can get the leaves out after they've fallen from the trees. Many homeowners also clean their gutters in the spring if they have a lot of trees on or nearby their property.

Gutter cleaning is the process of removing any dirt, debris, and leaves from your gutters and downspouts. These can clog your gutter system and stop rainwater from flowing freely from the roof to the ground.

When they're free of dirt, debris, and leaves, your gutters have some important jobs to do:

• Redirect rainwater away from your house

• Minimize moisture and condensation from windows and window sills

• Protect interior and exterior walls from heavy rain

• Keep water out of the basement and off the foundation

Let's look a little deeper at how clean gutters keep your home working its best.

Prevent roof damage: Unclogged gutters send rainwater off the roof through the downspouts and away from the home, but when gutters are clogged, rainwater gets trapped inside the gutter system, preventing water from moving off your roof. Clogged gutters can lead to the following problems:

• Roof rot

• Weakening the roof's construction

• Water can seep from your roof into your home

Protects exterior walls: Weight from debris can weaken or leave a gap in your gutter system, creating some nasty problems. Mold, mildew, and algae can begin to grow on the exterior walls, and your exterior paint can begin to peel and chip. A few additional areas that can be affected:

• Shingles

• Soffits (protect your roof and keep water out of your attic)

• Fascias ventilating the roof

Prevents foundation cracks: When your gutters are clogged, the water heads straight for your basement, foundation, and landscaping. Extra water from clogged gutters can damage your plants and erode your landscaping. Think you may have water from your gutters in your basement? Here are signs to look for:

• Windows and doors that don't shut

• Uneven flooring

• Cracks in the drywall

Deters animal nesting and insect infestations: All that standing water from your clogged gutters is heaven for animals and insects looking for a new watering hole. Plus, leaves are great nesting materials for birds, squirrels, and insects, and it's not that far from your gutters to your roof to your attic.

When to get new gutters

The good news is that most gutter systems last between 20-50 years, depending on what your gutters are made from. Aluminum and galvanized steel last about 20 years, while copper and other materials last a lot longer. However, we understand that since gutters wrap around your whole home, when it's time for new ones, it's an investment.

Here are ten signs that your home may need new gutters:

• Cracks, rust, and holes: If you find any cracks, rust, or holes on your gutters, it's a sign that something is wrong. Small holes can be sealed, but it's a temporary solution. Large holes and big spots of rust are what you really need to watch out for, as patching up large holes may wind up costing you more in the long run (and lead to roof damage) than just getting the gutters replaced.

• Flimsy fasteners: Fasteners are little pieces of metal that attach your gutters to your roof. Their job is to keep your gutters at the correct height so that your gutters do their job of drawing water away from your home. If you see some loose fasteners, you can probably fix it with a screwdriver, but if you've checked all your fasteners and you're still seeing leakage or drainage issues, it might be time for some new gutters.

• Nails and screws: If you stumble on some nails and screws when you're doing yardwork and aren't sure where they may have come from--it might be your gutters. The nails and screws in your gutters take a beating from wind, rain, leaves, and everything else nature throws at them, and sometimes that shakes them loose. If you find where the screw came from, chances are you can replace it. However, missing screws may be from parts rusting away or other damage, so it may be time for maintenance or replacement.

• Gutter gaps: Your gutters are made from smaller pieces that link together. If any pieces are separated and the water can't flow properly, you will get leaks. You may be able to put your gutters back together and fix the gap; however, if you find that they continue to separate, it's time for new.

• Separating gutters: When fasteners start to loosen, your gutters start to detach from the roof. This is a big warning sign that something is wrong and you'll need major maintenance or new gutters.

• Gutter sag: Get a lot of rain or live near lots of trees? Leaves and debris may accumulate more frequently in your gutters, and this buildup can cause your gutters to sag. Sagging gutters don't allow the water to make its way fully through the system, and your gutters may snap under the pressure. There is not a good DIY fix for this one; you'll probably need new gutters.

• Cracking paint: Maybe you haven't seen any signs that your gutters are bad, but you see that your exterior paint is starting to crack and peel. Especially if it's right under the gutters, this could be a sign that you have a separation between your roof and gutters that's causing a leak. To diagnose the problem, find the spot in your gutters above where the paint is peeling and see what the issue is. You may be able to fix it yourself, or you may need a new system.

• Pooling water: Noticing water spilling over your gutters? Pooling water can settle and cause your gutters to sag if not taken care of. It may be a sign that you just need to clean your gutters, or it may be a sign that there's something deeper going on, but either way, you'll want to address this quickly.

• Water-damaged landscaping: If you notice spots around your yard that are damaged from what looks like too much moisture, it may be your gutters. Gutters are designed to carry the water to a place that won't result in the erosion of your landscaping, so if they aren't doing their job, be sure to get them checked.

• Basement flooding: Leaky gutters allow water to get close to the foundation of your home, softening the ground beneath and seeping through the walls. If you see signs of moisture in the basement, check your gutters for damage.

Hunter Handyman Services is able to clean or replace your gutters. We also offer financing so that you can break your projects up into affordable monthly payments. Find out what you qualify for here.