Why Gutters Need Cleaning
 

Why should I have to clean my gutter frequently? Many trees in North America shed debris throughout the seasons. Over time, clogged gutters can do serious damage to a home. Usually, fascia, eaves and foundation areas suffer first. Paint peels and insects invade. In some cases, rainwater can enter an exterior wall through eaves. Prolonged exposure to a clogged gutter system will also render rafter end and roof sheathing vulnerable to rot. Repairs become expensive.

A Little Debris Can't Hurt? If you think debris in your gutter is harmless, think again. Clean gutters are a huge factor in avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Gutters perform one job: controlling the water around your home. If debris keeps them from doing their job, then you can wind up with some big problems.

Leaking Basements: Clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Roof water overflows and accumulates around the foundation. If this happens, basement leaks may be moments away.

Cracked Foundations: Excess water against the foundation wall can weaken the footing and lead to cracks. This is especially true in colder climates during the winter.

Rotten Wood: Water backing up from clogged gutters will cause moisture damage to the wood fascia and soffits around the house. An area that becomes rotted will quickly get worse if the leak is not taken care of by cleaning your gutters.

Ice Damming: In winter, ice-dams can form on top of a clogged gutter. Snow and ice build up across the top of the gutter and freeze. During the next thaw, water running off the roof is blocked from going into and down the downspout and can back up into the house. This can lead to major wall and ceiling damage.

Slippery Sidewalks: Clogged gutters can overflow and can deposit water on walks and driveways where it can freeze and cause a very dangerous hazard. This problem can often be avoided by having your gutters cleaned by the experts at "A&M/Total" on a regular basis.

Sagging Driveways: Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause driveways and walks to sag and crack.

Damage to Flowerbeds: Any newly installed plants or landscape mulching can be washed away due to water overflowing.

Wood Destroying Insects: Bugs love moisture. Keeping the soil dry around the foundations can force bugs to go elsewhere. Many termite protection companies will not provide their warranty unless there are seamless rain gutters in good working condition.

Safety First: Never clean your own gutters. Hire a professional. Never have your children or relatives clean your gutter. This is a very dangerous job. Never hire your landscaper. They do not carry the proper insurance to clean your gutters. Landscapers also don't have any expertise in gutters and will never find the problem that A&M/Total are likely to be able to find and save you money down the road.

Flush Spouts: When we get to the end of the gutter where the spout is, we spray the hose down it to make sure it's clear. If the spout is clogged, water will back up and cause problems. Clearing clogged spouts can be a chore. If we find a clogged spout that we can't clear with water our service technicians have the expertise to take the spout apart, remove the clog, and put it back together properly.

Rotted Wood: When gutters have debris piled up above the flashing or shingle line, the debris can hold moisture on the fascia boards. The moisture can also affect the roof sheathing and framing beyond the fascia. The debris will act like a wick and bring water in the bottom of the gutter up to the fascia. Many homeowners have spent THOUSANDS of dollars replacing rotted wood that an inexpensive professional gutter cleaning by "A&M/Total" could have prevented.

Animals: Lack of cleaning will also cause water to pond in areas dammed by debris. This condition is ideal for breeding mosquitoes. Plants, birds, insects and even mice will make a home in gutter debris.