Can we be honest? Gutter cleaning rates right up there with scrubbing the toilet or changing the litter box; we know we need to do it, but it’s so easy to put off. Far from glamorous, these are the activities that nobody likes to post about on social media. I mean, have you ever seen a before-and-after photo of a toilet on your bestie’s social feed? Probably not.
Ranking right up there with the activities we know we need to do but keep postponing is gutter cleaning. Nobody puts “cleaning gutters” on their vision board, and yet, it must be done. Ignore them, and they will repay the favor in some of the most expensive ways.
Whether you are a homeowner for the first time or just someone who has been putting it off for far too long, we’re here to tell you the dirty truth about gutter cleaning and why it should never be neglected. With unvarnished truth, we’ll discuss why gutter cleaning matters, what can go wrong when it doesn’t happen, and how to tell if your gutters are crying out for help. More importantly, we’ll offer recommendations on the best practices to keep gutter systems clean.
Before we jump into the expensive consequences of ignoring dirty gutters, let’s learn why we even bother cleaning them in the first place.
Why We Bother Cleaning Gutters in the First Place
To put it simply, gutters exist to move rainwater off of your roof and away from your home. When gutters are clean, water can flow smoothly through the system, efficiently moving water to a safe location away from the home and vulnerable landscape. When they are clogged and dirty, they become super expensive garden planters, mosquito factories, and waterfall features. And living near the Blue Ridge Mountains, our gutters collect a generous amount of debris. Depending on the season, gutters can collect:
- Leaves
- Twigs and sticks
- Seeds and pollen
- Roof granules
- Dirt and other sediment
- Moss
- Bird nest material
- The occasional unwanted guest (insects and small critters)
Over time, all of this material will collect and eventually block the gutters, interrupting their very important job of moving water off of and away from the home. If gutters are not kept clean, the consequences are far-reaching.
The Not-So-Pretty Consequences of Skipping Gutter Cleaning
Procrastinating gutter cleaning may not cause the house to collapse, but the consequences can be ugly. The problems usually begin small, but when the “I’ll get to it later” turns into “never,” the damage becomes costly. Here’s what can happen when gutters are dirty:
Overflowing: When gutter channels are clogged with debris, water backs up and spills over the edge. When water overflows the gutters, it can:
- Damage the exterior of the home (peeling paint and stains).
- Pool at the foundation, leading to cracks or leaks.
- Cause basement flooding.
- Damage the home on the backside, causing fascia to rot.
- Damage to the edge of the roofline.
- Wash away landscaping and damage vulnerable plants.
- Cause ice dams in the winter.
Sagging/Pulling Away: With organic matter weighing down the gutters, the added water weight from a heavy rain can put enough strain on the system, causing it to sag and eventually pull away from the home.
Blocked Downspouts: Even when gutter runs appear free of dirt and debris, clogged downspouts will back up water and eventually overflow the gutters.
Growing a Garden in the Gutters: Gardening is fun but not in the gutters. However, when enough dirt, moisture, and seeds from surrounding foliage remain trapped in the gutters, they will sprout. Unfortunately, gutters are not meant for gardening. Sprouting foliage and the debris that leads to it will also contribute to blocked water flow and increase the system’s weight, potentially causing sagging or pulling away.
Mold Growth: Dirty gutters provide everything mold needs to grow. When mold is allowed to take hold, it will quickly damage both the house’s structural components and the occupants’ health.
Uninvited Guests: Ignored gutters can become much more than a safe place for leaves and dirt; they can also become an attractive hiding place for insects and other small creatures. Standing water quickly becomes a five-star resort for breeding mosquitoes. At the same time, organic material makes for a perfect little love nest for squirrels, birds, and other creatures you would prefer in the woods rather than on your roofline.
Of course, not every dirty gutter system will become a makeshift garden or a miniature wildlife preserve, but the more debris a homeowner allows to collect, the more interesting the gutters will become and the more difficult they will be to clean and restore.
Ignore your gutters long enough, and what would have been around $200 to have them professionally cleaned could turn into a four-figure repair and restoration bill.
Signs Your Gutters Are Sending an SOS
As debris quietly collects in the gutters, most homeowners won’t notice an issue unless they look for it or a warning sign appears. Watch for the following red flags:
- Water running over the gutter edge during rain, especially during light or moderate rain.
- Puddles near the home’s foundation or somewhere other than where the downspouts discharge.
- Gutter sections that appear to be sagging or are visibly pulling away from the home.
- You see plants growing inside the gutters (yes, it really happens!).
- Visible debris piled up in the gutter runs or where the roofline meets the gutters.
- Staining, water streaking, or peeling paint on the exterior of the home.
- The area under the downspouts remains dry even after rain.
- The presence of unwanted guests (pests).
Besides these warning signs, if you can’t remember the last time your gutters were cleaned, it’s safe to say you should at least take a look. Basically, if your gutters look more like your compost bin than a clear channel for water, it’s time.
Recommendations for Keeping Gutters Clean and Happy
If you ask any professional who offers gutter services in Roanoke, they’ll tell you gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. Of course, a home surrounded by more mature trees may benefit from more frequent cleanings than one that’s in an open field, but for the most part, it’s every fall and spring.
Gutter cleaning can be tackled as a DIY project or scheduled with a professional. Many homeowners prefer hiring out gutter services to avoid the heights, the mess, and the hazards of a slippery roof. Not only do professionals offer thorough cleaning, but they can also check for the correct pitch, secure hangers, or identify any other damage that could lead to major problems.
Don’t Let Your Gutters Become Your Next Big Problem
Gutter cleaning will never be fun and exciting, and it certainly won’t earn you more likes on social media, but it is one of the smallest maintenance tasks around your home to prevent some very big headaches. It doesn’t matter whether you set aside a few hours a couple of weekends a year or hire professional gutter services twice a year; keeping water flowing where it belongs and preventing mold and pests from settling in is one chore you don’t want to skip. Whether you climb the ladder yourself or let someone else handle the dirty work, cleaning gutters regularly prevents some very big (and expensive) problems.