Gutter Maintenance: Why It's Necessary

Gutter Maintenance

To preserve your property’s value and keep your family safe from harm, it’s crucial to keep your home in tip-top shape. In particular, regularly inspecting and maintaining the roof over your head can save you money in the future. In our previous article on, we discussed how storms and high winds can lead to clogged gutters and roof tiles. If the damage is substantial, this can be rough on your wallet. Marcus explains that people often take out loans amounting anywhere between $3,500 and $40,000 for home improvement projects, including repairing and replacing their roofs. To prevent this from happening, it pays to clean your gutters at least twice a year. And here are some reasons why prioritizing gutter maintenance is necessary:

To reduce debris

Wildfires are a safety hazard that can cause serious damage to your home. The University of California describes how over time, debris such as leaves and pine needles can build up from nearby trees. If these manage to catch fire, they will expose the edge of the roof, usually the fascia or the roof cover. Because of this, the wood can catch fire, making it easier for a fire to enter the top level of your home. To provide additional protection to the roof edge, it is recommended that you install metal flashing. You should also pay extra attention to gutters located on higher levels that may be difficult to reach.

To prevent mildew and mold

Mold and mildew can produce allergens and irritants that can be dangerous to your health. The best strategy is prevention because mold can be difficult to treat. Due to rainwater build-up, gutters make a great place for mildew to form. This can become a serious problem if your gutter is full or damaged, leading to a leaking roof. To prevent this, you should regularly inspect your gutters for damage and watch out for any water stains that indicate a potential leak.

To prevent landscape erosion

If your gutters aren’t properly maintained, this can cause substantial soil erosion and depressions around your home. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District outlines how seeing streaks and watermarks outside your gutter can indicate that it’s been overflowing and needs to be cleaned. If it does appear to be clean, you should observe how it functions during the event of a normal rainstorm. If you see any spill-over or runoff, it is a sign that your gutter system is too small and needs to be replaced with a larger one. If left unresolved, the overflow of water can also cause damage to the foundation of your home, which can require incredibly costly repairs.

Clearly, paying attention to your gutters and inspecting them several times a year can save you from spending more money in the long run. However, it can be dangerous to maintain your gutter on your own so it might be best to consult a professional. If you’re looking for guttering solutions, check out our gutter services.