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As a homeowner, one of the most essential items of home maintenance you should never neglect is the health of your gutters. This task can be easy to forget since it is a tedious outdoor activity and there is a common misconception that it is not as vital to the well-being of the home as it actually is. Procrastinating on this can not only make it harder to eventually clean but it can actually become extremely costly down the line when you have to repair the damages from not taking care of this for a long time.
For homeowners in Vancouver, gutter health is even more of a concern due to the weather which makes gutters more susceptible to damage from heavy rainfall. The constant rain paired with low temperatures commonly lead to leaks, overflow and can sometimes require completely replacing the gutters!
The most serious consequence of gutter neglect is damage to the roof, exterior of the home or even driveway which can quickly become costly and more of a headache than a couple of hours twice a year to maintain your gutters.
Common Signs of Gutter Problems
It’s important to consider the age of your gutters as they typically last up to 20 years before they should be replaced for safety. Once your gutters reach about 10 - 15 years in age, you should be more vigilant and consistent with gutter cleaning as they are more susceptible to damage such as leaks.
Another way to determine the health of your gutters is by ensuring there is no pooling of water anywhere along the gutters, on your lawn or driveway which would indicate drainage problems, leaks or breaks.
Finding leaks inside of your home is another key indicator there might be a clogged gutter somewhere which is not flowing properly and has potentially leaked through the interior of the home.
One common concern of clogged gutters is the decomposition of leaves that will eventually grow mold if not drained properly. Not only does this cause an awful smell but it can become potentially harmful to your health if the mold finds its way inside the home.
Decomposing leaves also attract any number of unwanted visitors such as bugs, pests and other critters, bringing them closer to your home and potentially causing damage to your home’s foundation.
So, how often should you clean your gutters to prevent this slew of potential costly consequences?
Ideally, you should inspect your gutters at least 1 - 2 times a year in the Spring and Fall.
Take into consideration the location of your home, if there are many trees that shed on your roof and the specific weather/rainfall in your area. These variables can increase the susceptibility of your gutters and require more consistent care.
When in doubt, you can always turn to professionals to assist you with this matter and ultimately the investment when hiring a professional will certainly save you money in the long run and prevent more serious investments to repair damage.
