Winter is coming, and it’s time to prepare for the worst. If you have a property with gutters, one of the most important things that you can do is clean them out before they get clogged up from leaves and other debris. The importance of cleaning your gutters cannot be understated – if they are left dirty over winter, they will quickly become blocked by ice, leading to water damage in your home or business.
This blog post will explore the importance of cleaning and repairing gutters before winter arrives so that you can avoid these issues.
Beware of Sagging Gutters
Sagging gutters can be a sign of water damage and indicate that repairs are needed before the winter months. Sagging in your gutter system could also mean it’s time for new downspouts or other vital components like fascia boards and counter flashing. If you see any sagging or bowing, you should take care of the problem immediately to avoid further damage.
Sagging gutters can also have an impact on your roofing system if they are not repaired correctly. If left unfixed, debris could build up between the fascia board and gutter, leading to leaks or water seeping into your home.
Prevent Ice Dams
Gutters are not designed to handle the excessive snow that piles up in them during the winter months. When heavy amounts of ice begin to form on top, it can put a lot of pressure on your gutters and may cause cracking or even collapse if they aren’t properly maintained. If you don’t want any ice dams to form, clean your gutters before the snow begins to pile up. If you allow debris build-up, the snow that melts on top will not be able to flow into your gutters, causing it to overflow onto your roof. This water could then freeze and expand, which creates an ice dam inside your gutter system.
Dirty Gutters Have a Negative Impact on Your Health
When your gutters are dirty, they can have a negative impact on your and your family’s health. If they are not cleaned regularly throughout the year, leaves and moisture will build up inside them, which creates an ideal environment for mold. Gutters full of debris and water also attract pests such as mosquitos, rodents, and various insects which could carry dangerous diseases.
Avoid Paying More in Repairs Later by Cleaning Your Gutters Now
Gutters and downspouts are essential for protecting your home from roof damage, but they can easily get blocked by leaves and other debris if you don’t keep them clean. If the water backs up into your gutter or seeps around it because of a crack or hole, that means that the water is pouring over your foundation. When that happens, you’re looking at some expensive repairs to fix.
It’s much more cost-effective and pragmatic to keep up with regular maintenance than waiting for problems to arise first.
We hope you found this article informative. If you live in Parker and require a reliable company to clean out the gutters in your home, please contact our team at Sonners Contracting Inc. We’re happy to give you a free estimate on gutter installation or gutter repair services.