While your gutters are one of the “out of sight, out of mind” parts of your home, they play a crucial role in the maintenance of your home. Even when you’re thinking about them, they’re hard to reach and can be a challenging area to maintain. However, neglecting them can lead to many problems, from minor inconveniences to significant structural damage. Clean gutters allow rainwater to drain away from your home properly and protect it from damage.
Today, we’ll look at 5 signs that it’s time to clean your gutters, from water overflow and sagging gutters to the presence of pests and stains and mildew and how regular gutter maintenance can help you keep your home in top shape and save you both time and money in the long run.
Sign 1: Water Overflow
One of the most obvious signs that your gutters need cleaning is when you see water overflowing from the edges. This is likely caused by clogs from debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt or ice dams that form during winter. So, instead of channelling rainwater away from your home, the gutters will overflow instead and lead to several problems, including:
- Foundation Issues: Excess water can pool around your home’s foundation, leading to cracks and slowly causing structural issues.
- Basement Flooding: These structural issues may allow overflowing water to seep into your basement and cause flooding, which, in turn, can lead to water damage and create an ideal environment for mould and mildew, both of which can lead to respiratory health problems for you and your loved ones.Â
- Landscape Erosion: Water spilling over the sides of clogged gutters can also erode the soil in your garden, damaging plants and landscaping features.
Sign 2: Sagging Gutters
Another clear sign that your gutters need cleaning is when you notice sagging. Debris clogging up your gutters can add a lot of weight to the gutter system, causing it to sag or pull away from your home.
This can damage the gutters themselves, put significant strain on the fascia boards and soffit, and lead to structural issues such as water flowing into your roofing and walls, causing wood rot and potentially the growth of mould and mildew. It can also misalign your gutters, causing even more problems with water flow and rainwater drainage and making overflow and water damage problems even more severe.
Sign 3: Presence of Pests
Clogged gutters also provide a fertile breeding ground for pests, such as insects and rodents. A damp, debris-filled environment forms an ideal habitat for these unwanted guests, which can have wider-reaching consequences. Having pests in your gutters, especially birds or squirrels, can make already-existing clogs in your gutters and downspout blockages even worse and further restrict water flow and drainage issues, exacerbating water overflowing.
Some of these pests also can lead to health risks for you and your family. Mosquitoes are known to spread diseases, such as West Nile virus, and rodents can find their way into your home, causing further physical damage and potential additional hygiene issues.
Sign 4: Stains and Mildew
When water overflows from your gutters due to clogs, it can hit the siding of your home and leave unsightly stains. This is one of the most obvious signs that your gutters require cleaning. These stains can be streaks or discolouration, but also mildew forming on the exterior due to dampness.
Mould and mildew can release spores into the air, which can harm your and your family’s health, especially if you suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions. Once mould settles into the walls or roof of your home, it can also be very challenging and expensive to remove. The longer your walls are exposed to moisture, the more damage can occur to your home’s exterior paint or siding, leading to more costly repairs and decreased curb appeal.
Sign 5: Plant Growth
A clear sign of severe clogging of your gutters is when you can see plants growing in them. It could be from seeds carried by the wind or dropped by birds that can take root in the debris and make matters even worse. Some of the problems plants growing in your gutters can cause include the following:
- Gutter and Roof Damage: The roots of these plants can potentially penetrate the gutter seams and joints, causing leaks and potential roof damage.
- Water Flow Obstruction: Plant growth can further obstruct the flow of water, increasing the risk of overflow and related damages.
- Pest Attraction: Plants in your gutter system may also attract more pests, making your gutters a habitat and causing widespread damage and health risks to you and your family.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
How often you clean your gutters depends on several factors, such as location, weather conditions, and the number and type of trees near your home. Generally, we suggest cleaning your gutters at least twice a year as part of your seasonal cleaning, usually in the spring and fall. This will allow you to remove debris brought on by the seasonal changes and prepare your home for winter and spring.
If you experience heavy storms or wind, it’s also recommended that you check your gutters for additional debris that may have been blown in. If storms like this are common in your area, you might have to increase the frequency of checking and cleaning your gutters accordingly. Similarly, if your home is surrounded by trees, you may also clean your gutters more often to prevent clogs from leaves, branches, and other debris.
Conclusion
As inconvenient as their location may be, regular gutter maintenance is critical to protect your home from water damage and ensure water drains away properly. Being aware of the signs that your gutters need cleaning—such as water overflow, sagging gutters, pest presence, stains, mildew, and plant growth—you can take action to address the issues quickly before they turn into more significant problems that may take more time and money to fix.
Staying ahead of things instead of waiting for obvious signs to show can help you prevent costly repairs. So, don’t wait until your gutters overflow or show signs of damage—schedule professional gutter cleaning services today and experience the difference for yourself.Â
At Splash Windows, we specialize in eavestrough cleaning and gutter maintenance, offering comprehensive services to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing top-quality service and ensuring that your gutters remain clear and functional year-round.
Splash Window Cleaning has been the number one choice of businesses in Toronto and the GTA for over 18 years. With professional and efficient service, we don’t just perform gutter cleaning and maintenance but also offer professional window cleaning services, pressure washing services, asphalt sealing and concrete paver sealing.
Contact us today at 416-652-3074 for a quick and free estimate, or fill out our convenient online form to be your choice for professional gutter cleaning in Toronto!
