This year is flying by, and before too long we’ll start to see the leaves falling off the trees! Fall is a favorite time of year for many people, but it can be something to dread if you neglect cleaning your gutters a few times throughout the season. If your gutters aren’t functioning properly throughout the fall, you could be facing some bigger problems once the winter weather sets in. Our residential gutter pros here at Boak & Sons and Sam Boak are sharing the top 4 reasons not to neglect gutter cleaning this fall so you know what to look out for:
- Improper drainage.
If your gutters aren’t cleaned out this fall, debris like leaves and twigs can build up and clog them. This is likely to lead to improper drainage, overflowing or even damage to your gutter system. Overflowing gutters can allow water to settle next to your home’s foundation, which can cause leaks and damage over time. Your gutters themselves can also get weighed down by debris, causing extra stress that may eventually lead to them cracking or even pulling away from your home. Once that happens, your windows and siding are vulnerable to damage as well and this can be a serious safety hazard for you and your family!
- Insect and rodent infestations.
Once those clogs start to form, standing water will settle in your gutters. Standing water is a perfect habitat for insects like mosquitoes. The leaves and debris are also a great place for centipedes, millipedes, carpenter ants and termites to start building their forever homes. Even rodents like mice and rats will use your gutters as a nest if they are filled with protective debris like leaves and twigs. These are not the house guests you want to have around, so make sure your gutters stay cleaned to keep them away!
- Ice Dams.
We know it’s still hot outside, but winter has a way of sneaking up on us. If water can’t properly flow out of your gutters and a frost hits, that water can freeze in your gutters. As water continues to build up in that same spot and the temperature outside continues to drop, the ice will grow until a dam forms. Not only can these ice dams severely weigh down your gutters, but they can also cause cracks in your gutters and your shingles. Our residential gutter pros have shared their ice-advice before, which you can read here!
- The more often you clean them out, the easier cleaning them will be!
If you let your gutters go for a while, you’re going to have more work to do. Cleaning them out regularly can help keep the debris to a minimum, making your cleaning job easier and faster. While gutter cleaning doesn’t need to be a weekly task, during the fall season it would be smart to at least check them once a month. If you live in the woods or have a lot of trees in your yard, you might need to do it more often. Vice versa, if you live in an area with little to no trees, once a month might even be more than enough!
If you find a ton of debris in your gutters, you can always call the residential gutter pros here at Boak & Sons for help cleaning them out. If you notice any damage while cleaning out your gutters, you’ll definitely want to give us a call! Schedule a free estimate by calling 330-793-5646 or filling out a contact form on our website.
