How would you feel if you found dirty water running down the walls of your house from your gutter system and making your property look dirty? Apart from making your house appear dirty, gutter water running down along the walls will eventually make the walls weak and also give off a bad smell all across the property. It is needless to say that the gutters happen to be an integral part of your entire property. It is useful in controlling the flow of rainwater in order to safeguard your walls, landscape, roof, and foundation. However, if you tend to ignore your gutters, it may soon get clogged and damage your entire property.
Frequency of Gutter Cleaning
How often you need to clean your gutter system basically depends on the area where you live and the number of trees present in your yard according to gutter wiz. It is important that you maintain the gutters of your house during the fall and spring seasons. During this time of the year, the leaves of the trees around are mostly down and clearing them off is important to ensure that the gutters remain clean and clear. You may do the cleaning on your own or you may even hire a professional to do the job for you. However, when it comes to the downspouts, it is important that you hire a professional. This is because clearing the downspouts is more difficult than you can think.
Gutter Covers Are Rather Useful
You will find leaf guards that prove to be rather useful when it comes to preventing leaves from clogging your gutter system. However, these guards do not eliminate the need of frequent clearing of the gutters. Nonetheless, installing gutter screens or covers will ensure that maintenance of the gutters every 1 year to 3 years is sufficient. The quality of the cover and also its type will also determine the frequency of the gutter maintenance.
Installing gutter guards or covers do not automatically ensure a free flowing gutter throughout the year. It is still important for you to visually inspect the gutter to ensure that it is indeed clear. If you really wish to reduce the need for gutter maintenance, it is important that you invest on a good quality gutter screen and cover. You will have to buy one that is strong enough and is also suitable for the type of trees around in your backyard.
Hire A Professional Or DIY?
Clearing the gutter system of your house is something that most of you can easily do on your own. However, it can still prove to be a dangerous job in many cases. Thus, it is important that you be extra careful if you opt for DIY. Make sure that the ladder, you are about to climb, is strong enough and is in proper condition. Ensure that the ground is level and is solid enough. Use of plywood in case of soft soils is a must. However, if you think that the job is not for you, then hiring a professional is recommended.
