5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Clean Your Gutters

Most homeowners don’t give their gutters much thought until there’s an issue. But those issues — water damage, rot, mold, and pests, to name a few — can be difficult and expensive to fix once the damage is done. That’s why properly cleaning and maintaining your gutters should be at the top of your home maintenance checklist.

In this blog, the roofing and gutter experts at BRAX Roofing offer five reasons why gutter cleaning should be a priority.

1) Protects Your Roof & Siding

Your gutters’ primary job is to protect your roof and siding from water damage. But if your gutters are clogged with debris like leaves or pests, water gets blocked and pools where it shouldn’t — leading to mold, mildew, or structural damage, not to mention an expensive siding replacement or roof repair. In colder months, water collecting on your roof from your gutters can also cause ice dams. Because your roof and siding are major investments and can be costly to repair, cleaning and maintaining your gutters is an easy way to avoid a major headache.

2) Prevents Foundation Damage

Just like gutter clogs can result in water damage to your roof or siding, they can also cause foundation damage. Pooling water or melting snow can result in cracks in your concrete foundation — which is a serious issue that needs immediate attention to prevent safety hazards and irreversible property damage.

3) Prevents Pests

The pests around your home love nothing more than to burrow into the leaves and twigs that can accumulate in gutters when they aren’t cleaned regularly. Debris, especially debris that gets wet and rots, can attract bugs, spiders, and rodents into your gutters, which can then lead them into your home.

Pests in your gutters can be more than just unpleasant. They can also lead to health hazards for you and your family, as well as structural damage from wood-boring insects or rodents. Regular gutter cleaning and maintenance can easily prevent these issues, keeping your gutters in great shape and pest-free.

4) Boosts Curb Appeal

Did you know that sagging or clogged gutters can bring down your home’s resale potential? Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, unkept gutters can seriously put a dent in your home’s curb appeal. As debris piles up and gets wet, it can rot and cause your gutters to sag or look warped. While you might not give your gutters much thought on a day-to-day basis, dirty, sagging gutters can stand out to visitors and passersby and give your house a sloppy look.

Gutter maintenance will leave your gutters clean and shiny, which contributes to the overall look of your home.

5) Extends Gutter Lifespan

Your gutters should last for 20 to 50 years, depending on their material — but only if they’re cleaned and maintained properly. If you neglect your gutters and allow water and debris to accumulate, your gutters can become weighed down and warp beyond repair. Depending on what type of gutters you have, pooling water can also result in rust and corrosion. All of these issues can shorten the lifespan of your gutters, requiring a replacement.

When You Should Hire a Professional To Clean Your Gutters

To keep your gutters in great shape and ready for the next rainfall, it’s important to stay on top of gutter maintenance. We recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year, but sometimes, you need to enlist the help of a professional.

You might need to schedule gutter cleaning if:

• You notice a dense buildup of leaves and twigs, especially if the debris has gotten wet.
• You see signs of mildew or rot inside your gutters.
• You suspect that there are pests inside your gutters.

Choose BRAX Roofing for Gutter Services in Washington, DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia

If the time has come to replace old or damaged gutters, turn to BRAX Roofing for expert gutter installation in the DC Metro region. We install seamless aluminum gutters, as well as copper gutters.

With our 10+ years of experience, extensive training, and convenient financing options, we’re a top choice for gutter services in the DMV. Call us at 301-469-4880 now to request a free estimate for new gutters for your home.