Since it provides protection against the elements, the roof of your home requires periodic inspections and repairs. One of the most important areas of the roof that needs continuous inspecting and maintenance is the gutters.
Far too often, however, a homeowner will neglect to care for the gutters on the roof, simply because of a busy schedule. But a clogged gutter can quietly cause considerable damage to your home in many ways.
Why Gutter Maintenance Is Essential For Your Roof
Maintaining your gutters does more than just keep your home looking good. Installing a roof is an expensive undertaking, and regular maintenance is a wise way to safeguard your investment.
The following are some of the benefits that result from regular gutter maintenance:
- Minimize the cost of repairs: Gutters divert rainwater away from the home. When the gutter is clogged, the water will have nowhere to go and may accumulate. This compromises the integrity of the entire roof. Regularly maintaining the gutters will help prevent costly major repairs to damaged areas.
- Increase the lifespan of the roof: Water pooling due to clogged gutters can result in the total loss of the roofing structure. This can occur if the wood begins to rot, resulting in leaks, or if mold and mildew appear and spread. Periodically cleaning the gutter can prolong the lifespan of the roof.
- Preserve the foundation of the home: If the gutters are not cleared of debris, water begins to overflow on the roof and pool on the ground on the sides of the home. When this happens, cracks in the structure of the home subtly begin to form, compromising its very foundation. Clean gutters divert the water away from the home, thus keeping the foundation stable and strong.
- Prevent pest infestation: Debris and pooling water often attract insects, rodents, and birds. A clogged gutter is a perfect breeding ground for such pests, which bring added health risks to the home’s occupants. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the gutters is a sure way to keep pests far away from the home.
- Improve curb appeal: In addition to preserving the integrity and structure of the roof and home, clean gutters improve its aesthetics. Accumulated leaves and debris on the roof make the home look unsightly. By keeping the gutters clear, you maintain the house’s value, which is extremely important if you are planning on selling the home in the near future.
How Often Gutters Should Be Cleaned?
Now that we have established the many reasons why it is important to keep the gutters of the roof clean, how often should a homeowner in Massachusetts or Connecticut inspect and repair the roof? Ideally, it should be done at least twice a year.
When you think of the changing seasons in the northeast—Autumn with falling leaves, winter with heavy snow and ice, spring with rain showers, and summer with thunderstorms—it is not hard to see how roof gutters can easily and quickly get clogged. Having a written schedule is a good way to ensure regular maintenance of your roof’s gutters.
Basic Steps To Keep Your Gutter Clean
There are some basic steps that can be done to maintain your gutters in a clean condition. These are as follows:
- Ensure that your ladder is set on a flat, stable surface
- Wear protective gloves and remove any large debris from the gutter
- Flush the gutter using a garden hose to remove any dirt and grime, while checking the water flow for blockage
- If there is a blockage, clean the downspout by spraying the water from the bottom
Call The Professionals!
While you certainly can try the DIY gutter cleaning of your home, it does take time and comes with the risk of falling from a ladder. Why not let professionals handle the job of regularly maintaining your gutters and the health of your entire roof?
Most homeowners are bogged down with the hustle and bustle of life and may forget or not have the time to provide regular maintenance of the roof of the home. The best way to ensure a healthy roof is by hiring professionals to care for its maintenance.
At JP Carroll Roofing, we have over 30 years of experience in caring for the homes of many families in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Get your roof in good hands today by calling us at (860) 586-8857 to discuss an inspection and free estimate on any repairs that may potentially be needed!
