Yes, You Have To Clean The Gutters

A few days ago we wrote about some winterizing tips for homeowners to work on before the big drop in temps (and maybe snow) we’re going to see this weekend. Little did we know, some of you hate the thought of cleaning the gutters! Well, you still have to get it done and here’s why.

Are Gutters Actually Necessary?

The seemingly simple fixture that runs along the edge of your roof is tasked with a most important responsibility. Read on to learn why gutters are so essential—and how you can make sure yours do the best job possible.

If you don’t know exactly what gutters do for your home, then you’re not going to know if your gutters are an absolutely vital component of your homes’ exterior or just some sort of decoration.

While it’s true that professionally installed gutters create a clean edge around your home’s roofline, their main purpose is far from just being pretty.

Contractors install a gutter system on every new house they build because its job is to guide rain and stormwater off the roof and away from the foundation of your house, it’s essential to your home’s structural well-being.

That is, as long as the gutters are kept clean and free leaves and branches…and weeds.

So What’s A Little Water Going To Do?

No matter how much rain falls onto your roof, the water builds up as it runs down and creates a powerful surge that, if not diverted, can pummel the ground next to your foundation. Water and foundations do not mix.

Pounding water along your foundation line erodes the soil and can seep down along the foundation, which has the possibility of causing basement leaks and structural instability.

Gutters that effectively manage stormwater do more than simply protect your house.
They also preserve your yard and even your neighbor’s yard. Without functioning gutters and downspouts to control runoff, rainwater could cut pathways through your yard as well as your neighbor’s, creating ditches, pooling, and even killing your lawn, flowers, and anything else you have planted in that area.

Yes, You Have To Clean The Gutters!

When you fail to clean your gutter system you’re just inviting problems, clogged gutters can be nearly as bad as having no gutters at all.

Rainwater trapped in a clogged gutter or downspout has nowhere to go but over the edge of the trough, rendering your gutter system virtually useless. And if the leaves, twigs, and other debris remain during winter, snowmelt can pool and refreeze in the gutters, potentially weighing them down so much that they can pull free from the house.

Clogged gutters also increase the risk of ice dams forming at the edge of the roof.

If you have traditional gutters on your home, you should clean them at least twice a year: once in the spring and again in the fall, before winter arrives.

With traditional gutters, you have two maintenance options: You can haul a ladder over to the side of your house and clean out the debris by hand, which saves you money but can be dangerous. Or, you can pay to have a professional gutter-cleaning crew clear the gutters and downspouts.

A third option, however, can save you from ever having to worry about your gutters again. Instead of performing regular maintenance, you can install a seamless gutter system that never clogs and never needs cleaning or if your gutters are still in good condition, you can have gutter covers installed.

Even leaves that fall onto the roof and are washed off slip right over the edge of the gutter and down to the ground below. The result is a clean, clear gutter that never clogs.

Either way, yes, it’s very important to make sure your gutters and clean and free-flowing.

If you have any questions about this or anything else about your roof, please feel free to give DYMI Construction a call or drop us a line. We’re always here for you.