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Why You Need to Maintain Your Gutters

Why You Need to Maintain Your Gutters

Do you hate home repairs? I don’t think many of us really like them, but they are a necessary part of owning your own home. One of the most important tasks of maintaining your home is the need to clean your gutters, especially prior to, and even during winter. Clogged and badly maintained gutters can cause you more trouble than you may think.

First let’s understand the purpose of a gutter. Its primary function is to remove moisture away from the house and direct it to a place where it will cause no damage to the home or to the property in general. A badly directed water flow could lead to erosion in the driveway or landscaping and that is no good either.

Failure to maintain your gutters leads to four primary problems:

Gutter damage: If gutters are not properly maintained, then they will eventually become blocked by debris such as leaves and dirt. This debris does not allow water to flow through the gutter, causing it to build up and eventually overflow. The overflow will lead to sagging in the gutter which will cause permanent damage to the gutter itself. Over time, these sections will deteriorate so much that they will break away and leave gaps within your gutter system.

House Damage: By not maintaining your gutters, you actually risk causing damage to your home. There are many ways that water can damage your home. As I mentioned before, if water is not directed away from the home it can seep under the foundation causing erosion. This can lead to the home leaning or cracking, the driveway cracking, or water flowing into your basement, causing flooding or water damage. If the water is overflowing the gutter system, it can run down walls to your home damaging paint, siding, windows, and window frames. Blockages can also lead to the gutter becoming so heavy that they begin to pull away from the house, causing structural damage to the home and roof, where the gutter was attached. This can lead to water coming into the home, damaging the inner walls and insulation. It also can mean that the affected areas may grow mold and cause a health risk to you and your family.

Roof Damage: As I previously mentioned, blockage like this can cause damage to the roof. If the gutter becomes too heavy that it pulls away from the home, it may also pull away shingles and other roofing materials, causing a leak in your home. This will allow water to enter the home.  But this is not the only problem the roof may face.  If the water builds up in the gutter, so that it runs under the roof, it may cause rotting. Rotting may lead to the roof collapsing, especially if you live in an area where it is below freezing during the winter. If water is allowed to back up onto the roof and cause rotting, when that water later freezes, it will be heavier and is more likely to cause the roof to give way, leading to very expensive amount of damage.

Unexpected Damage: Not properly maintaining your gutters also has consequences you may not have considered. If you live in a cold weather area, water that accumulates in areas near your home may become frozen, which can lead to injuries from slipping and falling. Water build-up is a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and mold, and can lead to health problems. It also will attract insects that need a moist environment. Those animals may cause other problems to your home, like raccoons getting into your garbage, or squirrels building nests in your walls.

This clearly shows you why it is so important to have your gutters cleaned.  It is well worth the investment to make sure you clean your gutters well.



Cleaning gutters prevents repairs

Cleaning gutters prevents repairs

Don’t fall down on the job of keeping your gutters and downspouts clear and in good repair. They may be an “out of sight, out of mind” aspect of your home exterior, but neglecting them can lead to costly repairs.

Here’s a basic guide to gutter maintenance, compiled by our researchers and based on the expertise of gutter pros rated highly by Angie’s List members:

When to check, clean gutters
Fall is a good time to think about gutters, since leaves dropping from trees are a main cause of clogging. But gutters and downspouts can be blocked by other things, too, including pine needles, twigs, “helicopter” maple seeds and even tennis balls.

Experts recommend checking your gutter system at least twice a year, in the spring and in the fall after trees have shed most of their leaves and needles.

Depending on how many trees you have, you may need to clear gutters and downspouts as often as every three months. If you have few trees or your gutters are covered by a screen or other guard-type product, they may need to be cleaned only once a year or every few years.

The cost of neglect
You could pay a price if you ignore periodic inspection and cleaning. As one top-rated gutter professional told our researcher: “Gutter prevention is measured in pennies; repairs are measured in dollars.”

Clogged downspouts and gutters cause water to overflow the gutter, which can damage fascia or soffit boards, erode landscaping, or cause a roof leak, which in turn may create additional exterior or interior damage. Fixing these problems can cost you thousands of dollars. Clogged gutters can also be related to pest and rodent infestation.

Hire or DIY?
If you clean your gutters, be careful when working from a ladder and don’t forget to clear downspouts, too.

Even if you have gutter guards, you may want to hire a professional. Experts say up to 20 percent of leaves and other material can get through a gutter cover, and that experienced workers may be better at removing and reinstalling the guards.

A professional gutter cleaning should include removal of all leaves and other material from the roof, gutters and downspouts, as well as a check of overall gutter condition and repair of any loose gutter spikes. In addition, the person who does the work should leave your yard clear of debris.

Pricing and hiring tips
The cost of gutter cleaning depends on the size and height of your home. Special equipment may be required to clean gutters of a three-story home, for example. Prices range from $75 to $225 for an average home, depending on the length of gutters and height of house. Most companies charge a flat fee per foot of gutter, but the cost can rise, depending on the complexity of the work.

If you’re thinking about having gutter covers installed, be aware that the price usually starts at around $1,500.

To find a reliable gutter expert, get recommendations from family, friends and neighbors, or check a trusted online review source. Ask for and check references, get several estimates and confirm that the company you hire is properly licensed and adequately insured.

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, a resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care. Follow her on Twitter at @Angie_Hicks.



Holencik Insulation Cleans Gutters In Easton, PA

Holencik Insulation Cleans Gutters

Holencik Insulation provides a wide range of services for residential and commercial gutters in Easton, PA. We are available for professional gutter cleaning, gutter repair and gutter installation, as well as gutter guards and several other home maintenance services. Our customers will enjoy prompt, reliable service from the best trained gutter mechanics in the industry.

Contact us for one time gutter cleaning or regular maintenance. Our expert mechanics use the latest equipment and our proven gutter cleaning techniques to remove the debris that collects in your gutters. We also inspect the entire system for the correct pitch and look for damage at any point in the system.

Gutter cleaning is one of our many services for residential and commercial gutters in Easton, PA. We offer expert gutter repair, gutter guards and new gutter installation from a team of highly trained gutter mechanics. If you need your gutters replaced, we use only high quality materials that are covered by a twenty year warranty. Our workmanship is guaranteed.

We will also inspect your roof and siding. Then let you know if there are any issues that need attention.

At Holencik Insulation, we provide free quotes for our services. You can request a free quote by filling out the form to the right for fastest service or by calling our office at 484-892-2816.


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