Gutter cleaning can be a dirty, strenuous and sometimes risky business, so many people either avoid it altogether or delay the task for as long as possible. Although that saves on immediate work, it can increase the amount needed in the long term because problems tend to build up.
So, how often should you clean your gutters? Generally, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year. However, the frequency will vary depending on foliage types near your home (such as pine trees, jacarandas, and she-oaks), so you may want to clean once every three months.
Gutters are usually out of your normal field of vision, so you don’t notice them until something goes wrong. And when it does go wrong, the damage has already been done, and it’s often too late to avoid significant and costly damage.
Call to get a professional gutter cleaner today.
Gutter cleaning frequency
As with many questions of timing, the frequency of gutter cleaning will depend on your circumstances. Some insurance companies advise an annual cleaning, although this is too general to be widely adopted.
The average homeowner should generally clean gutters at least twice a year. However, gutter cleaning frequency depends on factors like local foliage, the frequency of big storms and downpours and the gutter system type.
You should check your gutters at least once a year, ideally just before the rainy season is due to begin. As well as looking for debris and other sources of potential blockages in your gutters, ensure all gutters and downpipes are in good condition, adequately connected and with no noticeable damage.
Let’s take a closer look at the factors which affect gutter cleaning frequency:
Surrounding vegetation
Cleaning gutters usually means cleaning out leaves and twigs which cause blockages. If tall deciduous trees or flowering trees surround your property, you may require more frequent gutter cleaning during autumn and spring.
By contrast, if your house has limited tree coverage and does not have strong winds, you may not require regular gutter cleaning. If you live in an open area with few trees nearby and relatively low annual rainfall, it might be sufficient to undertake a quick clean every two to three years. On the other hand, if you’re overlooked by many trees and live in a coastal area where rainfall can be weighty, more frequent cleaning is necessary — possibly two or three times a year.
Request a professional gutter cleaner for your home today.
Gutter capacity
Not all gutters are made equal – some are wide and deep (box gutters), which collects large amounts of the debris before they clog.
Standard gutters are narrow and shallow, which can clog more quickly.
Greenbelt areas
Properties built on Greenbelt areas are more likely to have problems with birds and animals nesting in your gutters, increasing the need for gutter cleaning. Nesting materials cause blockages in the downspouts, gutters and valleys. It also attracts other pests, such as vermin, possums and insects.
In greenbelt areas, bird preventative measures are essential to keep your gutter clean. Bird preventive measures include gutter guards, such as micro mesh gutter guards.
Blocked gutters problems
At certain times of the year, gutters can become clogged with leaves, twigs and other debris is blown into them. Some of this debris may get washed into the downpipes when it rains. The result is that, with the gutters and the downpipes blocked, rainwater has nowhere to go other than to overflow the gutters.
Wall Staining & Penetration
When gutters overflow, especially when heavy rain, the water runs down walls and across doors and windows, possibly causing staining.
The water may also overtop into the roof area or penetrate the walls, causing problems of dampness and mould growth that are both unsightly and damaging to health.
Foundation Damage
Water that runs down walls and penetrates the lower floors can cause damage, including the house electrics. It can also affect the foundations of the building, threatening the integrity of the property.
Attract Wildlife
Leaves decomposing in your gutters will attract birds, mice and other animals, and insects searching for food there. These can then penetrate the house and will cause damage and health problems.
Roof & gutter damage
Overflowing gutters cause flood underneath your roof, which can damage tiles, roof spaces and roof panels. Water damage is a real problem for many homeowners and can cause roof restoration and gutter damage and replacement.
Plant growth
Having dirty gutters causes plant and mould growth in the dirt. When plants and grass grow, it adds weight to the gutters causing damage and possibly replacement. Gutter replacement is costly compared to regular gutter maintenance.
Call to get a professional gutter cleaner today.
How to clean your gutters
If gutter cleaning is needed, make sure you wear gloves and eye protection so you will avoid injury and infection. Also, ensure you work safely on ladders and use proper tools rather than sticks or other equipment that may damage your gutters.
To clean your gutters:
- Remove stubborn debris with brushes and scrapers, putting it in a bin or for composting rather than just leaving it on the ground where it may attract insects and vermin.
- Use a garden hose to remove leftover dirt and, if necessary.
- Clean with bleach and water to get rid of mould.
- If you find any leaks, repair them with a high-quality sealant to make the gutter watertight.
Request a professional gutter cleaner for your home today.
Gutter Cleaning Services
Try an alternative if you’re miserable cleaning your gutters due to the effort and mess involved or because you need more confidence working at height. One way is to engage a professional cleaning firm, although this may prove expensive, especially if you live in an area where frequent cleaning is necessary.
At Aussie Gutter Protection, our expert gutter cleaners provide a professional gutter cleaning service at affordable prices. Our incredible gutter cleaning team has years of experience and training, so you can be sure your gutters get a thorough clean while also taking special care of the rest of your home and roof. An AGP Gutter Cleaner is extensively trained to work around roofs, solar panels, and roof gutters to avoid damage and recognise problems before they occur.
Gutter Guard Reduces Gutter Cleaning
A better solution may be to fit, which can prevent most of the debris from getting into gutters in the first place. Gutter guards work unobtrusively on top of your gutters, allowing rainwater to flow through and preventing leaves and debris from entering. This keeps your gutters clear and avoids regular cleaning, although periodic inspections are still advisable to check for faults.
There are various gutter guard options, including:
- Brush gutter guards
- Foam inserts
- Mesh panels
- Vinyl gutter guards
- Integrated mesh system or gutter protection system
At Aussie Gutter Protection, we supply and install an integrated mesh system, a more permanent gutter guard solution to reduce clogged gutters. Our gutter mesh is made from the finest materials, durable, non-flammable and effective in protecting your gutters. If you live in an area of high rainfall and are affected by falling leaves, other debris, and pests, gutter guards, like a gutter protection system, will avoid a lot of work and keep your gutters clean.
It is important to understand that gutter guards do not eliminate regular maintenance and gutter cleaning. Still, it dramatically reduces the frequency, especially in areas surrounded by large trees that drop leaf litter.
Aussie gutter protection is a leader in the gutter protection industry, working with high-quality materials; products GutterMesh, TuffMesh, SteelMeshSolarMesh; installation methods for leaf guard, rainwater harvesting, bushfire prevention and solar panel protection. AGP offers professional installation and gutter cleaning at affordable pricing to keep your gutters clean and ensure rainwater flows freely. Get a free consultation and the right gutter guard for your particular solution.
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