Pro Gutter Cleaning Charleston is a dirty, unpleasant job that requires specific tools and procedures to be performed safely. Working high off the ground is also dangerous, and a simple ladder slip can lead to serious injury.
Clogged gutters aren’t just unsightly; they prevent water from funneling properly and cause worrisome leaks. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to clean your gutters!
Clogged gutters allow water to flow over the sides of the home, into siding and even under the foundation. This causes damage that can lead to mold, rot and structural problems that are expensive to fix. Regular gutter cleaning prevents these issues.
Gutter drains and downspouts are often clogged with leaves, twigs and debris, which can also cause problems. These can be more difficult to clean than the gutters themselves. But cleaning them can make all the difference in keeping your home safe and healthy.
Water from clogged gutters can seep into walls and the basement, causing extensive and costly water damage. It can also seep into wood framing and drywall, and lead to rot, mold growth and dampness. It can also cause damage to landscaping and saturate the soil around your home’s foundation, causing cracks or even heaving of the concrete slab.
Another common problem caused by clogged gutters is that they can overflow and flood the house during rainstorms. This can be dangerous for family members and pets, as well as a major inconvenience. It can also create a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are attracted to standing water and will breed in the swampy environment of overflowing gutters.
Misdirected water from clogged gutters can be deposited on walks and driveways, causing a slipping hazard. It can also be deposited under asphalt, creating potholes and cracking the surface. Regular gutter cleaning keeps water deposited away from these areas, and ensures that gutter spouts are correctly directed away from pedestrian walkways.
The swollen and wet conditions of clogged gutters also attract pests, such as mosquitoes, rats, mice and frogs. These pests thrive in the moist and fertile conditions, and may find their way into your home through open windows or doors.
If you’re not comfortable climbing ladders and dealing with the mess of cleaning your own gutters, or if you want to avoid the risk of injury, consider hiring a professional. Just make sure they have a license, liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance before they get to work. They’ll use hand tools and pressure washing techniques to remove all the clogs and dirt from your gutter system, and will also take pictures before and after their service to show you the difference they’ve made.
Pest Infestation
Gutter cleaning is important to prevent the accumulation of water on your roof, but it can also help keep pests and rodents away. Clogged gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs that like to hang out in standing water. And, if the clogged gutters start to rot, they can create entry points for rodents and other unwanted pests into your home.
In addition to being an unsightly nuisance, pests are also known to carry and spread numerous diseases that can affect human health. These can include the common cold, influenza, hepatitis, and many more serious illnesses. These diseases can be transmitted by these pests through their saliva, feces, and feet.
A pest infestation can cause a variety of problems for both homeowners and businesses. In homes, they can lead to water leaks and damage your property. They can also impact your family’s health, especially if you have children or elderly people living with you. In businesses, they can drive away customers and have negative repercussions on your reputation.
When your gutters are clogged, there’s nowhere for the rainwater to go. This can cause the gutters to rot and lead to leaks, which aren’t good for your roof or the rest of your house. Plus, if the clogged gutters overflow, they can cause water to pool around your foundation or home’s structure, which can lead to structural damage and even flooding.
While some people try to clean their own gutters, it’s often a difficult and dangerous task. In fact, if you don’t have the right ladder or the skill to work on your roof, you can fall off of your house and get seriously injured. Gutter cleaning is best left to professionals who have the proper tools and experience to do it safely and efficiently. They’ll use ladders that are the right height, pro-quality vacuums, and power washers to clean out your clogged gutters. They’ll also repair any damaged areas of your gutters if needed.
Mold Growth
Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, and clogged gutters provide an ideal environment for these fungi to grow. This mold and mildew isn’t only unsightly, but it can also have a negative impact on the health of you and your family. Mold spores release allergens that can cause respiratory problems, particularly in individuals with allergies or pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Regular gutter cleaning will prevent this mold and mildew from growing on your gutters, keeping them clean and healthy. However, because this task involves working at a height on a ladder, it is best left to professionals who have the tools and safety equipment necessary to perform quality gutter cleaning safely.
In addition, a professional gutter cleaner will be able to identify any potential problem areas in your home’s soffits and fascia and address these issues before they become more serious. They can also inspect your roof for any leaks and ensure that your gutters are secure.
As a general rule, you should plan to have your gutters cleaned twice per year. This should be done in the spring and fall, as these are the wettest seasons of the year.
Besides being a great way to maintain your gutters, routine cleaning can also help you save on your energy bills. Gutter cleaning services will remove the debris that blocks sunlight, which in turn will help reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Another benefit of routine gutter cleaning is that it can prevent water damage. Clogged gutters can cause water to seep into the foundation of your home, causing cracks and other serious problems. As the water seeps through your gutter system, it can also damage the driveway and yard, leaving behind standing water that can kill plants and create ice hazards in the winter.
As an added bonus, regular gutter cleaning will also prevent the growth of moss and other plants that can damage your gutters. This is because these plants are prone to absorbing moisture from the air, which can lead to rot and other problems. A well-maintained gutter system will also be less likely to develop rust and other structural issues that could require costly repairs.
Damage to Your Roof
The gutter system controls the flow of rainwater off a roof, through a channel and down the downspouts that direct water away from the home’s exterior and foundation. When the gutters become clogged, water won’t flow properly and instead will overflow onto or off of the roof. This creates problems such as mold growth, stains on the siding and fascia, and roof damage. Gutter cleaning prevents this type of damage and helps the longevity of the shingles and roof.
Over time, clogged gutters will become heavy from the weight of the accumulated water. This can cause the gutter to warp, sag or even fall off from the fascia. If this happens, it can lead to a roof leak and damage the interior of the attic, insulation, and walls. It’s also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests that can invade the home.
Clogged gutters also encourage ice to form during the winter. As the ice melts, it can seep into areas under the gutter and cause wall damage and rot. This can affect drywall, paint, and electrical wiring. Regular gutter cleaning and downspout inspections prevent these types of issues from arising.
In addition, a clogged gutter can encourage the formation of thick and heavy icicles which are dangerous to people and pets. They can bend, crack, and pull the gutter away from the house and can damage windows and sidings.
A clogged gutter can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a host of other pests such as rats, roaches, termites, mice, and moles. These pests love the standing water that accumulates in a clogged gutter and will often move into the attic, basement, and other parts of the home where they can find shelter. Proper gutter cleaning eliminates the opportunity for these critters to infest homes and make them unlivable.
The best way to keep your gutters working as they should is to have them cleaned regularly and to trim any overhanging branches and plants that might be dropping leaves and debris into the gutters all year long. The longer you let your gutters and downspouts go without being cleaned, the more likely they are to become damaged or clogged and to cause costly damage to your home.
