Gutter Cleaning, Etc.

Gutter Cleaning

Gutters are installed on your home to capture rainwater and route it away from the home. This prevents foundation damage through erosion and keeps moisture away which bugs and rodents would otherwise thrive on. Also, gutters help prevent water intrusion into the home.

Keeping your gutters clean and free flowing is an important part of home maintenance. Varying debris such as seeds, leaves, sediment and construction materials will clog your gutter downspouts. Water takes the path of least resistance resulting in staining, rotting and mold growth if gutter are left unchecked. Even if you have vinyl siding there is a supportive structure which the vinyl attaches to which may rot if exposed to water. The path of least resistance sometimes includes areas inside the walls of the home or pooling water at the foundation could enter into your basement. Brick or other siding may grow an unsightly mold which would have to be removed in addition to cleaning the gutters. A clogged gutter will retain stagnated water. Stagnant water breeds all sorts of organisms which could pose a threat to health and safety. Some of which include mosquitoes which also carry disease.

Gutters will clog at different times of year. In case of a storm where branches and leaves have fallen they could clog your gutters, this is very common. Naturally we all know that when the leaves fall it is time to clean gutters, but there are various seeds that can and will clog gutters in the Spring.

Clogged gutters can rot wood in as little as 6 months so be sure to keep up with your gutter cleaning. In some Nashville, TN areas gutter cleaning may be required as often as 4 times per year. It is recommended you clean your gutter at least once per year.

Gutter screens work well for people who don’t have much of a gutter problem to begin with, but are rarely helpful in cases where a gutter problem has been present. Currently gutter cleaning runs between $1 and $2 per linear foot. Gutter protection systems run between $8 and $15 per foot and still have to be rinsed out once a year. It could take more than 8 years to break even on such an investment. Regular gutter cleaning at least once per year is recommended.

Other Fall preventive maintenance includes concrete and deck sealing. Winters can be harsh on concrete and wood causing irreversible damage. Sealant keeps water out so wood and concrete won’t freeze. Sealants have other benefits as well. Like with concrete the sealer wears away not the cream of the concrete. Cream is the top layer which usually has broom strokes in it. Sealing should be done every 2 years for concrete and 3 to 5 for wood depending on product performance.