Preventive medicine is the best medicine!
Think of your gutters like your arteries. You need them clean and clear so that you don’t end up with major problems. Most importantly, liquids need to be able to flow through them. You need to stop those clogs before they harden.
It is natural for your gutters to fill up. Leaves blow in — not just from your trees, but from those of your neighbors. And it might not just be leaves – small branches, acorns, and even birds’ nests can end up in your gutters. Rainwater turns those leaves and debris into paste and keeps them from blowing away.
Clean Your Gutters BEFORE They Become an Issue
The key, though, is treating these clogged gutters before they cause problems. A clogged gutter can cause rainwater and snowmelt to run along your siding, which can ruin your siding. This can also cause water to drain toward your foundation rather than away from it, which opens you up to a host of issues. Clogged gutters can also contribute to ice dams, which can force water to back up under your roof surface. You do not want mildew, rot, and other problems from misdirected water. You need those gutters to protect your home’s structure and safeguard against the elements.
When Is the Best Time to Clean My Gutters?
It gets harder to clear those gutters as it gets colder outside. That pasty, wet muck freezes, and gets stuck to itself — and stuck to the gutters and the exterior walls. Then the snowpack builds up, and the moisture build-up just gets worse and worse. Huge icicles form, more leaves get caught, and the clogs intensify.
That being said, it’s far better to have your gutters cleaned ANYTIME than it is to feel like you have to wait until the perfect time to have it done. Having your gutters cleared out, once per year (at least!) puts you on track to minimal frustration and headaches from gutter problems. The best time to have your gutters cleaned out is in the fall – the second-best time is anytime.
Here at Harper Siding & Roofing, we can clean out your gutters quickly, efficiently, and affordably. And we can do it now, in the fall, before the problem gets worse. You will thank yourself come January, when the bigger snows come, and your gutters are clear.