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Why Cleaning And Maintaining Your Rain Gutters Is Important

Rain gutters protect your roof from the elements of weather and extend its lifespan. This’s why cleaning and maintaining your rain gutters is important. A rain gutter is part of your drainage system that runs from the roof to the ground. Buildings have rain gutters to collect rainwater that falls on the roof and discharge it. Rain gutters are commonly made from materials such as cast iron, stainless steel, and UPVC.

Maintaining your rain gutters is crucial because debris accumulates and may block drainage with time. We share with you the reasons why cleaning and maintaining your rain gutters is important. However, before we proceed we share with you the most important components of a gutter system.

The most important components of a gutter system include:

  • A gutter-The structure that attaches to the edges of your roof
  • End cap-connects and closes gutters
  • The fascia bracket-provides structural support and joins the eaves
  • The downspout-the channel that moves rainwater from the roof to the ground
  • Elbow- connects to the downspout and redirects water away from your home.

Reasons for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Rain Gutters

  1. Protect Your Roof from Damage

Gutters channel water away from your roof and prevent rainwater from accumulating which can cause damage to the structure. Over time, leaves and debris clog gutters trapping water on the roof. If stagnant rainwater is left unchecked, your roof can sustain one of the following damages.

  • The roof will rot 
  • The roof structure weakens
  • Water leaks from into your house.
  1. Protect Your Foundation

Gutters not only protect your roof but also your foundation by draining water away from the foundation of your home. However, clogged gutters allow water to spill on the walls down to the foundation. Rainwater can settle on the base of your home and cause damage to the foundation and the lower parts of the wall. 

Stagnant water could trickle into the basement if left for a long. Poor drainage even poses more risk to your property during winter. Stagnant water could freeze and crack the foundation. This could lead to a very expensive repair job.

  1. Protect the Outside Walls

Clogged or damaged gutters can make rainwater stagnate on them. The gutters may start to leak and damage exterior walls. Parts of the wall that are likely to be damaged include shingles covering the house, soffits protecting the roof, and fasciae ventilating the roof.

Stagnant water may make parts of your roof structure stop working. In addition, mold, mildew, and algae may grow on the exterior wall. The paint may start to peel and chip because the wall is waterlogged.

  1. Prevent Pest Problems

Cleaning and maintaining your rain gutters protect you from pest problems. If leaves, sticks, and plant debris are left to accumulate in the gutter, they provide a conducive breeding ground for pests. The pests can move from the roof to your house if left unchecked. Some of the pests you may have to put up with include bees and rodents. Cleaning your gutters regularly helps you avert a potential health hazard.

  1. Don’t Let Your Roof Rot  

Some houses are built without gutters which are a necessity in wet climates. Rainwater can pool on the roof if the gutters are faulty or clogged. This can cause damage or make the structure of your roof rot if left for a while. The wood is likely to rot and cause leaks. Repairing your roof for water damage may cost you thousands.

On the contrary, using professional gutter cleaning and maintenance services from Del Toro Gutters saves you thousands of dollars in the long run. 

  1. Prevent Animal Nesting and Insect Infestations

Disease-causing insects like mosquitoes and squirrels like stagnant water because they can stop by and drink. Leaves that accumulate in your gutter are suitable for birds, squirrels, and insects to build nests. The animal can move from the gutter and build nests on your artic.

  1. Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams form when the snow covering your roof melts and drains over the gutters. The water freezes again before reaching the ground because of cold temperatures. This could lead to the formation of ice dams that block the drainage channel. The situation can worsen if the gutters also had cumulated debris.

Ice dams can cause water to stagnate under singles and the resulting moisture may damage the roof, fascia, and soffits of your home. The extra weight from the ice and debris may make the gutters detach from the roof.

  1. Prolong the Life of Gutters

Gutters that are cleaned and maintained regularly last longer and protect your property from water-related damage for a long time. It’s advisable for you to inspect your gutters periodically to identify and rectify any potential problems before things run out of control. Repairing small issues is much more affordable compared to replacing the entire gutter system. 

  1. Improve the Aesthetic Appeal of Your Home

Clean and well-kept gutters improve the aesthetic appeal of your home and raise its value. Gutters that are not taken care of may have tree branches hanging out, eroded soil, and detached parts. This makes your home look neglected and lowers the aesthetic appeal of your house.

Now that you know why cleaning and maintaining your gutters is important, it’s also good to know when to clean them.

When Should You Clean Your Gutters?

The time when you need to clean your gutters is determined by several factors including weather patterns. Nevertheless, it’s good practice to clean your gutters at least twice a year. In most cases, the first cleaning is done in the middle or at the end of the spring. A huge amount of junk can rest on your gutters because of the heavy rains and pollen grains produced during the season. 

The second cleaning is mostly done during fall when all the leaves have fallen. Failing to remove the dead leaves could damage your home once the temperature has fallen below zero. Contact us at Del Toro Gutters for consultations and help fix your gutter issues.  

“Del Toro Rain Gutters Inc specializes in aluminum rain gutters and aluminum terrace installations and repairs. With over 10 years of combined experience installing rain gutters and aluminum terraces Del Toro Rain Gutters will tackle any challenge, big or small, and always guarantee customer satisfaction.”

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