4 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters


 

Updated: 11/01/2022

If your gutters have gotten clogged up or dirty, you may need gutter cleaning services to get them working well again. Getting aluminum roof gutters cleaned can mean that they flow more freely and the water won’t be backed up and dirty. If your gutters are dirty, it can mean that water sits in them for an extended period of time. This can allow mold and mildew to grow in them, causing allergies in your household.

When you have aluminum siding and gutters, both may need repairs after a while. And if your gutters are backed up, it can mean that your siding gets stained with the dirty water that comes from them. The anatomy of a gutter system is a system to take water from the roof and channel it to certain areas of the yard instead of the water falling directly on your home and causing damage.

Another name for gutter can be pipes or culverts. The gutter system running freely is ideal, and having a clog can cause major damage. When water flows out of your gutters and onto your home, it often soaks into the foundation and can cause it to become unstable and develop cracks and breaks.

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Gutters for the home were invented in the early part of the 20th century. Roof gutters help ensure that water is moved away from your roof and is drained out to the ground. It’s easy to tell when a room needs cleaned or when it’s time to rake the yard. Unfortunately, roof problems aren’t always easy to diagnose. It’s understandable to feel confused about when to clean out your gutters. Here are four important signs it’s time for a gutter cleaning.

  1. Bird Nests Appear in the Gutter

    Flying birds need a nest of their own to sit in while not in flight. Birds tend to build nests in areas that are safe. If a bird is building a nest in your gutter, it likely means no more water is flowing through them. A gutter system that works properly won’t allow a bird to begin nest building. If you’re noticing nest appearing in your gutters, it’s time to call a professional gutter service. It is recommended that you have your gutters cleaned at least two times per year.
  1. Plants Begin to Sprout

    Many yards have gardens filled with beautiful plants. Unfortunately, a clogged gutter makes a perfect flower bed for plant life. Plants that begin to grow in your gutters is a bad sign. These plants are growing in your gutters because they are clogged. The larger a plant grows, the more weight it places on your gutter system. You might soon find that enough plants growing in your gutters could lead to having a gutter replacement.
  1. Water Spills Over the Sides

    Statistics show the number one cause of water problems in the basement are due to clogged gutters. If you’re not keeping gutters clean, it makes it tough for water to exit the drain. Water spilling over the sides of a gutter is a sign that this device is too filled with liquid.
  1. Gutters are Drooping

    It’s wise to walk around the outside of your home to see how your gutters appear. Gutters should surround the house and remain in a straight line. If gutters are running parallel to the roof structure of your home, you may have sagging gutters. Over time, sagging gutters can completely dislodge themselves from the roof. If you notice any kind of sagging in your gutter system, it’s time to call a professional.

In summary, there are several signs that it’s time to clean the gutters of your home. If you’ve noticed any plants or birds appearing in your gutter system, it’s time to clean them out. Gutters need to be clean to allow water to flow freely through the drain system. If too much debris has entered your gutter system, it’s going to invite more plants and animals near your home. Another common gutter problem is if water is flowing over the sides of the gutter. Having plants, animals, and excess water in your gutter system can all lead to these devices drooping. If you’re dealing with gutter problems, it’s best to leave this work up to a professional.