5 Benefits of Regular Gutter Cleaning

Though home maintenance can be tedious, in the long run, it saves homeowners a good sum of money by avoiding damage and repairs. Roofing, chimneys, gutters, and drainage pipes should all be inspected yearly for wear, with maintenance best done before the wintry weather arrives. Here are five benefits of regular gutter cleaning that all homeowners should know.

1. Key Gutter Cleaning Benefits — Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

Guttering plays a significant role in preventing water damage to homes. Clear gutters allow rainwater to run freely and make their intended way down drainage pipes and through to stormwater drains.

Gutters blocked with vegetation, dirt, and living creatures will overflow and, instead of being diverted away from the home, will likely seep into the foundations. Where flooding is repetitive, the house foundations can be damaged, requiring expensive repair work. Other structures that can be water damaged are fascia boards, soffits, and exposed timber elements.

Additionally, water can overflow the guttering onto window frames, porches, and external equipment. So that repair bill keeps adding up!

2. Property Grounds are Saved from Flooding Damage

Blocked gutters prevent water from being sent down intended drainage pipes. As a result, the overspill of water can be significant, especially in heavy storms or an extended wet weather pattern. In these instances, water will flood to the low areas of your grounds. It can cause significant runoff and pooling damage.

It’s a dismal and disappointing experience to see your gardening and landscaping labor hours literally go down the drain as precious soil and plants are washed away. Or just as bad, seeing your vegetable and fruiting beds start sinking under a layer of mud.

3. Regular Gutter Cleaning Sends Damaging and Nuisance Pests Packing 

Birds, rodents, and numerous nasty insect pests (earwigs, centipedes, and wasps, for starters) are happy to take up temporary residence in your guttering. The more that leaves and plant refuse have lodged in your gutters, the more likely you are to have these unwelcome guests.

Dry debris makes attractive nesting material for rodents in dry weather, and insects don’t shy away from wet material at any time. The longer you have guests in your gutters, the more likely they will try and extend their territory. They will continually look for ways to get under eaves and into roof cavities, chimneys, and ceiling spaces.

And let’s not forget that disease-carrying mosquitoes need only the slightest pools of standing water to begin breeding in your gutters. Regular gutter cleaning will discourage these pests and hopefully send them packing before any real damage occurs.

4. Maximizing Roof and Guttering Life

Additional gutter cleaning benefits include maximizing the lifespan of your guttering. Avoiding blockages and water retention prevents rusting of bolts and pieces that fix the gutters to the house roof edges. As gutter cleaning is carried out, early detection of possible problems will be more likely.

If you reside in a region with icy winter weather, debris that traps water in gutters can lead to ice forming within and around the gutter structure. The ice places extra weight within the channel and strains the fixings. The result can be severe damage to the guttering structure and a hefty repair bill.

On top of this, gutter blockages can cause roofing problems. Ice within the gutters will stop water from falling freely down tiles, sheets, and shingles. A likely scenario is that ice will form at the guttering and above as it can’t freely move down the roof. Subsequently, any weaknesses or gaps in the roofing material will encourage ice to form within, forcing the material apart and causing further damage. Look out for the tell-tale signs of ceiling water spots indicating a problem with the roof.

5. Maintaining Your Curb Appeal

Gutter cleaning benefits include more than preventing damage to your home and garden. Well-cared-for guttering provides a neat and smart edging to your home, adding positively to your property’s overall look and feel.

While you may not intend to sell your property in the near future, maintaining your curb appeal and property value high is important. A good home value can translate to opportunities when negotiating for financial loans and other credit mechanisms. 

Get the Best in Home Maintenance Services

While you’re tackling home maintenance, don’t forget to schedule your annual chimney cleaning service with Six Penny Chimney. Our other home maintenance services include repairing masonry work, regular gutter cleaning, and pest removal. You may also want to consider getting gutter guards to discourage future lodgers and drastically reduce debris falling into the gutter channels.

Get in touch if you’re in our service area of Northern Virginia and request a free quote any time.