You’ve probably heard that you should tend to your gutters at least once or twice a year — usually during the more temperate seasons like spring and fall. But we all know how busy homeowners can get. You probably have a lot of home upkeep tasks to tend to, which can make it easy to fall behind in some areas. But your roof and gutter maintenance shouldn’t fall by the wayside. If you do ignore your need for gutter cleaning services, you could face some serious issues that will end up costing a lot of time and money to repair. Let’s take a look at the three risks you take when you don’t hire a gutter cleaning company on a regular basis.
Structural Damage
One of the biggest issues you might face when you fail to hire professional gutter cleaners is the extensive damage clogged gutters can do to your home. If water overflows from those clogs, it can be directed right down to your home’s foundation. This can subsequently soften the soil and lead to foundation cracks. Not only can this be difficult and expensive to fix, but it can even jeopardize the structural integrity of the entire building. In addition, clogged gutters can cause wood in your home to rot, which can then spread to areas like the attic. These clogged gutters can also cause roof damage and eventually allow water to seep into your home through leaks, which can be challenging to detect and repair. Of course, this can even lead to flooding, which isn’t surprising when you consider that clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Ultimately, gutter cleaning technicians can protect your home from the elements — and prevention is always far simpler than damage control.
Infestations and Illnesses
You might not realize it, but forgetting to hire a gutter cleaning company can actually put your loved ones’ health at risk. That’s because clogged gutters can make your home more attractive to all kinds of pests, such as termites, ants, and rodents. The rotting leaves and branches that get stuck in your gutters are tantalizing to many of these creatures, as is standing water. And if your home sustains any structural damage as a result of clogged gutters, it’ll be even easier for these pests to find their way inside. Not only can they do a lot of damage to your home, but some animals can eat through wiring and cause a fire hazard. Others carry diseases that can make your family sick. What’s more, mold can grow as a result of ignored water damage — and that can be a problem for family members with respiratory issues. Keep in mind that seasonal allergens will also be able to infiltrate your home more easily when your gutters are clogged, which means your loved ones might not feel quite so healthy as they could this spring if you don’t work with a gutter cleaning company.
Landscaping Issues
Dealing with damage to both the interior and exterior of your home should be enough to convince you to call your gutter cleaning company this spring. But you’ll actually risk even more property problems if you don’t clean out your gutters. The water that ends up overflowing from your gutters can actually do irreparable harm to any grass and plants located below. The water will wash away mulch, which can hurt the soil on which your plants rely. The erosion can be so substantial that you may not be able to salvage that portion of your landscaping. Your driveway can also become damaged as a result of your damaged gutters, leading to cracks, holes, and uneven surfaces. It may mean you’ll end up paying for driveway repairs or even replacement before too long — and it can be a safety hazard for both residents and visitors.
Given all the risks you’ll take by not attending to your gutters this spring, hiring a professional gutter cleaning company sounds like an excellent idea. Contact us now to make your appointment for spring cleaning — and by doing so, you’ll likely be able to avoid all of the headaches listed here.