Why Gutters Need Cleaning
Why should I have to clean my gutter frequently?
Many trees in North America shed debris throughout the seasons. Over time, clogged gutters can do serious damage to a home. Usually, fascia, eaves and foundation areas suffer first. Paint peels and insects invade. In some cases, rainwater can enter an exterior wall through eaves. Prolonged exposure to a clogged gutter system will also render rafter end and roof sheathing vulnerable to rot. Repairs become expensive. A quarterty service program is your best bet to protect your home and investment.
CHECK LIST OF THINGS TO DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
Safety First
Never clean your own gutters. Hire a professional.
IT'S THE MOST DANERGOUS JOB YOU CAN DO AROUND YOUR HOUSE.
Never have your children or relatives clean your gutters. This is a very dangerous job. Never hire your landscaper. They do not carry the proper insurance to clean your gutters. Landscapers also don't have any expertise in gutters and will never find the problem that are likely to be able to find and save you money down the road.
Ice Damming
In winter, ice-dams can form on top of a clogged gutter. Snow and ice build up across the top of the gutter and freeze. During the next thaw, water running off the roof is blocked from going into and down the downspout and can back up into the house. This can lead to major wall and ceiling damage.
Slippery Sidewalks
Clogged gutters can overflow and can deposit water on walks and driveways where it can freeze and cause a very dangerous hazard. This problem can often be avoided by having your gutters cleaned by the experts on a regular basis.
Sagging Driveways
Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause driveways and walks to sag and crack.
Damage to Flowerbeds
Any newly installed plants or landscape mulching can be washed away due to water overflowing.
Wood Destroying Insects
Bugs love moisture. Keeping the soil dry around the foundations can force bugs to go elsewhere. Many pest contgrol companies will not provide their warranty unless there are seamless rain gutters in good working condition.
Animals
Lack of cleaning will also cause water to pond in areas dammed by debris. This condition is ideal for breeding mosquitoes. Plants, birds, insects and even mice will make a nest in these areas.
A Little Debris Can't Hurt?
If you think debris in your gutter is harmless, think again. Clean gutters are a huge factor in avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Gutters perform one job: controlling the water around your home. They are not designed to hold water. If debris keeps them from doing their job, then you can wind up with some big problems. Replacement costs today are in the thousands of dollars. Let us help!
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Flush Spouts
When we get to the end of the gutter where the spout is, we spray the hose down it to make sure it's clear. If the spout is clogged, water will back up and cause problems. Clearing clogged spouts can be a chore. If we find a clogged spout that we can't clear with water our service technicians have the expertise to take the spout apart, remove the clog, and put it back together properly.
Rotted Wood
When gutters have debris piled up above the flashing or shingle line, the debris can hold moisture on the fascia boards. The moisture can also affect the roof sheathing and framing beyond the fascia. The debris will act like a wick and bring water in the bottom of the gutter up to the fascia. Many homeowners have spent THOUSANDS of dollars replacing rotted wood that an inexpensive professional gutter cleaning could have prevented.
home in gutter debris.
Leaking Basements
Clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Roof water overflows and accumulates around the foundation. If this happens, basement leaks may be moments away.
Cracked Foundations
Excess water against the foundation wall can weaken the footing and lead to cracks. This is especially true in colder climates during the winter.
Rotten Wood
Water backing up from clogged gutters will cause moisture damage to the wood fascia and soffits around the house. An area that becomes rotted will quickly get worse if the leak is not taken care of by cleaning your gutters.
JNine Pro Services
Serving the Pacific Northwest with over 35 years in the Business
