3 Reasons to Get Your Gutters Cleaned Regularly
In the Portland area, and the Pacific Northwest in general, we have the perfect conditions for clogged gutters. Our beautiful trees combined with frequent rain can wreak havoc on our drainage systems. Our gutters are often the last thing on our minds, but clogged gutters can cause serious damage to your property. It’s important to get them cleaned regularly, especially in the climate we have here. Here are 3 major reasons to get your gutters cleaned on a regular basis.
- It Prevents Water Damage
The entire purpose of a gutter system is to allow water to drain off of your roof and to guide it away from the foundation of your building. Clogged gutters will not only not allow this to happen, but will cause water to back up and overflow onto the roof and the sides of your building, or to pool around the base of your building, potentially leading to flooding.
Water backing up on your roof can cause serious damage. It can lead to leaks, shingle damage, and cause structural instability. Obviously leaks on the interior are a big deal, they can seriously damage drywall, cause electrical problems and most importantly can damage the beams, struts and posts that hold your roof up. Even if you don’t have interior leaks, clogged drains can damage your roof by damaging shingles and, in cases of freeze/ thaw conditions, can actually lift your shingles off of the roof, making them ineffective.
If water can’t flow through your gutters, then it will find another way to go, often the side of your building. This can cause your fascia and siding to deteriorate more quickly than it otherwise would have. This also allows water to pool at the base of your building, which can damage your foundation or cause leaks and flooding in your basement.
- It Keeps Pests from Nesting in Your Gutters
There are a number of animals that we have here in the Northwest that would love to make your messy gutters their home. Rodents, birds and insects will often seek the protection, ease of construction or ideal conditions that messy gutters can provide.
Squirrels, mice and rats will use messy gutters as a home that will protect them from predators, like cats. They can use the height of the gutters, the hard material and small space to keep them safe. This will further clog gutters and can lead to even more problems. If a rodent were to die in your gutter, it would attract even more pests. Rodents also love to keep exploring for a better home, meaning there is a good chance they will invade your home.
Birds love messy gutters because nest material has already gathered there, making nest building much easier, as well as messy gutters having the added benefit of protection from predators. Nests can become heavy, especially after a rain, and the added weight can put strain on your gutters. This can potentially lead to them pulling away from the fascia or collapse altogether.
Insects can be a huge problem in messy gutters. Wasps, hornets and bees seek out damp areas to start their colonies and nests. Although these insects won’t cause too much damage to the building, they can cause damage to you. Mosquitos are attracted to standing water and frequently infest clogged gutters. Besides being a nuisance, mosquitos are known to carry harmful diseases. Ants and termites will use messy gutters to build their nests as well. Ants will invade your home to look for food and can be very difficult to get rid of. Termites can cause a massive amount of damage to your property, all before you even know you have a problem.
Getting your gutters thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis is the first step to preventing pests from causing trouble for you and your property.
- It Increases the Lifespan of Your Property
Repairs, especially on the roof, can be very expensive. It’s much more cost effective to perform maintenance regularly than to neglect and replace/ repair problems after the fact. Prevention is the best medicine. Clogged gutter will hold moisture. This moisture will cause damage to your roof over time. It’s also heavy. The added weight can cause gutter systems to collapse. During the winter months, the freeze/ thaw effect will cause a serious amount of damage to anything that holds moisture, causing your roof and gutter system to deteriorate more quickly than it would normally. Clogged gutters can also damage your fascia boards, foundation and could cause flooding, which could all be avoided by simple preventative measures.
DIY vs Calling the Pros.
There are a few reasons you may want to call in the pros to get your gutters cleaned:
- Saves you time
- Cleaning gutters can be dangerous and lots of people every year visit the hospital due to falling from ladders
- Professionals have a trained eye that can spot problems early, potentially saving you lots of money in repairs
- If you have gutter covers or guards, they can be difficult to remove for the cleaning process
- Thorough and quality work
Conclusion
Simple maintenance can go a long way in keeping your property in good shape for years to come. Not only will getting your gutters cleaned regularly prevent serious problems from happening down the road, but it will increase your curb appeal right away. Water damage and pests are a consequence of messy gutters that can easily be avoided.
SNUGS has been cleaning gutters for more than 25 years and we have worked on all types of properties. We know the different characteristics of all property types. SNUGS has developed different scopes of work for the different roof types, property types and building types, to make sure that your property receives the service that you need, without paying for things that you don’t need. We can also provide a bid for custom scopes of work.
We offer a 30-day guarantee on all downspouts to give you peace of mind that the job gets done right. If downspouts are not flowing because of new debris, foreign object, or anything else, we will come out free of charge and clear the clog within 30 days.
Snugs Pro Wash, Inc, dba SNUGS Services, has been providing high quality Pressure Washing Services in Portland, OR since 1995. Started as a residential pressure washing and roof cleaning service, SNUGS is now one of the leading exterior cleaning companies in the Northwest. From our humble beginnings as a man with a truck and a trailer we have grown to become a multi-million dollar company serving corporate customers, name brands, and mom and pop companies alike.