7 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Rain Gutters

Rain gutters direct rainwater to the right dispersal points. It is, therefore, important that the places which receive a lot of rainfall will require more frequent gutter cleaning. Heavy rain comes with all types of debris that can clog gutters very quickly.

Clogged gutters, if left unattended, can lead to water buildup. The stagnant water can lead to leaks and seepage. This can cause damage to your walls, doors, ceilings, and foundations, as well as staining and decay of your gutter system and fascia. That is why you should work on cleaning your rain gutters in Salt Lake City.

  1. Sagging Gutters

Buildup from shingle shreds, debris, accumulated dust, and animal residue can lead to clogging. You may find your channels bending and sagging, unable to do their job of directing rainwater to the planned dispersal points away from the house. If you delay cleaning too long, the weight of the dirt will cause the gutters to lean away from the fascia. They may even buckle altogether, leading to worse problems.

  1. Stained Siding

Stained sidings are a sign that there is stagnant water in your gutters. This means your fascia boards are at risk of damage. If you notice this, make sure you hire an expert to clear them.

  1. Presence of Animals and Pests

If you find that pests and bugs are residing within your gutters, it means that clogging has already taken place, or it soon will. Birds, mice, lizards, rats, squirrels, and snakes would like to make their nest out of the debris that clogs your gutters.

  1. Plants Growing in Gutters

All the dust, dirt, and debris accumulating in the gutters can lead to germination and growth of a variety of plants. If you find weeds, grass, small plants, and flowers growing in your gutters, you should know that you’ve got a problem.

  1. Leaks and Gutter Waterfalls

man repairing a gutterIf you find rainwater overflowing and leaking from your gutters, it is time to inspect them. This is precisely what gutters are meant to prevent. Not only do they make it uncomfortable to walk around some parts of the house when it’s raining, but they also indicate that it’s time to call the gutter specialists. Ignore it and you are likely to spend a fortune on gutter renovations and probably other parts of the house as well.

  1. Season Change

Toward the beginning of the wet season, especially if you live in a place that experiences heavy rain and thunderstorms, hire someone to clean your gutters. If you live where winters are accompanied by plenty of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, clean them before winter starts. If you don’t, the gutters might freeze and create ice dams.

  1. Leaking Roof

Clogged gutters will retain water, which will seep through shingles and cause significant damage to your roof. It is cheaper to clean dirty gutters than to renovate an entire roof. Simple housekeeping can save you a huge amount in roof repairs.

Cleaning and maintaining your gutter system is an integral part of overall home maintenance. It is recommended that you clean your gutters at least twice a year. Some places may require more frequent gutter cleaning, depending on the climate.