Why Eavestrough Cleaning is Essential for Home Maintenance?
Eavestroughs, also known as rain gutters, are typically installed along the edge of the roof following the eaves lines.
This crucial component of your home exterior collects rainwater as it flows down the roof and channels it towards downspouts — guiding it away from building foundations.
Unfortunately, eavestrough cleaning often takes a backseat to other priorities as maintaining them can be challenging when you are already working with a packed schedule.
Even though most of the time, these rain gutters are out of our sight, they must not be out of our minds. It is because, ignoring their cleanliness can lead to serious issues such as water damage, pest infestations, and diminished curb appeal.
Today’s article will take a closer look at certain aspects that explain why eavestrough cleaning is essential for home maintenance.
Let’s begin!
8 Reasons Why Eavestrough Cleaning Is Essential for Your Home
Regular eavestrough cleaning is crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of your home, as it:
1. Prevents Water Damage
The primary purpose of eavestroughs is to protect your property from water damage.
When gutters become clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris, rainwater can overflow, seeping into your roof, walls, and foundation which can lead to costly repairs. Properly functioning rain gutters act as a first line of defence against water damage, especially in regions prone to unpredictable summer storms.
Therefore, as a homeowner, you need to prioritise regular gutter maintenance to prevent these blockages. By doing so, you guarantee that rainwater is effectively diverted away from your home.
2. Protects the Landscape
When gutters are clogged, the collected rainwater can overflow and pour directly onto your garden. This can lead to soil erosion, plant damage, and water puddles.
Additionally, excessive moisture can create a saturated environment that encourages root rot as well as other fungal diseases that can be harmful to your plants.
Properly functioning gutters ensure that the water is channelled away efficiently and protect the health and beauty of your landscape.
3. Protects Your Roof
Blocked gutter systems are ineffective in draining water and so cause water to pool on your roof. This increases the rate of wear and tear to shingles and roof tiles. As your roof ages, the chance of tiles or shingles cracking or getting damaged increases, which in turn can result in roof leaks.
Water from leaks can rot roof rails, ceilings, walls, and floors, as well as allow the growth of mould and mildew in your roof and ceilings. This substantial damage might require extensive repairs or even in the worst case a complete roof replacement.
However, regular eavestrough cleaning will prevent water from pooling on your roof and help maintain the structural integrity of your home.
4. Enhances the Curb Appeal
Clean and well-maintained gutters complement the exterior architecture and paintwork, creating an inviting appearance. Conversely, overflowing and sagging gutters filled with debris and water can cause unsightly stains and discolouration on sidings and walls.
Hence, regular gutter cleaning and engaging in seasonal maintenance are vital to keep your gutters functioning the way they should. This also reduces the need for frequent exterior repairs and helps you maintain the curb appeal of your home.
5. Keeps Pests Away
Clogged gutters filled with stagnant water and organic debris create a perfect breeding ground for pests such as rodents, mice, mosquitoes, and other insects.
These pests can spread diseases such as West Nile Virus or Zika Virus and may also damage your home’s structure by burrowing or chewing.
To effectively engage in pest prevention, you should establish a regular gutter cleaning routine.
6. Extends the Life of Your Gutters
The accumulation of debris adds weight to your eavestrough which might cause them to fall off. Organic waste can also lead to rust and corrosion over time.
Since gutter repairs and replacements can be expensive, it adds extra strain to your budget. On the other hand, regular cleaning can prevent frequent repairs or replacements and so saves you money in the long run.
Note: The durability of gutters depends on the material with which your gutter system is made. For instance, Aluminium gutters are lightweight and resistant to rust but can be susceptible to denting. Steel is a cost-effective and sturdy option for eavestroughs, but susceptible to rust, especially in humid or coastal environments.
7. Provides Health Benefits
Blocked gutters not only put your home at risk but also pose serious health issues to those living within.
Damp conditions due to water overflow encourage mould and mildew to enter your home and compromise indoor air quality. This can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems, especially in children and elderly members.
If you are using a tank of water, it can easily lead to contamination and potentially cause serious illness.
Keeping your gutters clean helps protect your family’s health by reducing the risk of mould and fungal growth.
8. Preserves Foundation Integrity
When gutters become clogged, water is unable to flow properly and may pool around your home’s foundation. Over time, this can cause erosion and compromise the structural integrity of your property, requiring costly foundation repairs.
Also, if there is any weakness in your basement walls or windows, this water can seep into the basement causing basement flooding.
In regions with high rainfall, this can be particularly problematic.
Regular maintenance of gutters prevents water damage from pooling near the foundation and ensures your property’s structural integrity remains intact.
How Often Should You Clean Your Rain Gutters?
The ideal frequency of gutter cleaning depends on several factors such as:
- The types of trees surrounding your house
- The climate in your area
- The presence of pests and birds
In general, you should clean your eavestroughs twice a year — in fall and spring — or more frequently if your home is surrounded by trees or you are living in areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Gutter Guard
Gutter guards are a popular option for homeowners looking to reduce the cleaning frequency. These guards work by keeping the big debris out of the gutter, hence lessening the need for cleaning.
Although gutter guards are reliable, they are not a complete replacement for regular maintenance as small debris might still clog over time and need to be cleaned.
Signs that Your Eavestrough Needs to be Cleaned
Many homeowners do not understand that their eavestrough needs attention until it’s too late.
That’s why it’s crucial to always look for the warning signs that indicate your eavestrough needs to be cleaned.
These include:
- Overflowing water during a rainstorm
- Water stains on the exterior walls
- Pooling water near the foundation
- Rust or corrosion on gutters
- Plant or weed growing out of the gutter
Give your gutter a quick inspection look for any warning signs and address these problems before they become a bigger problem.
DIY Eavestrough Cleaning
If you have decided to handle this task all by yourself, here is a breakdown of some simple steps to follow.
- Make sure to use a sturdy ladder and have someone hold it steady.
- Wear gloves and protective glasses to protect yourself from debris.
- Start by removing large leaves and twigs by hand or with a garden towel.
- Once the large debris has been removed, flush out any smaller particles using a garden hose.
- Make sure to check the downspouts for clogs. If you find a blockage, clear it with the help of a pressure washer.
In the end, inspect the gutter for any potential damage and do necessary repairs before finishing the cleaning process.
Limitations
While DIY cleaning may seem simple, it isn’t such an easy task to do. There are some limitations to DIY eavestrough cleaning. DIY cleaning, in general, relies on basic tools, which may not effectively clean all the debris.
Moreover, studies show that ladder fall fatalities and injuries are most common during DIY. If you are unfamiliar with eavestrough cleaning, the process might take hours or probably an entire day.
All in all, DIY cleaning can be dangerous and time-consuming, especially for homes with hard-to-reach gutters.
Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service
While DIY cleaning saves you money, professional cleaning services save a lot of your time and ensure thorough cleaning.
Professional cleaners have the necessary tools and expertise to clean eavestrough efficiently. They can also identify any potential issues with the property that may require repairs.
Key Takeaway
The primary role of eavestroughs or rain gutters is to collect rainwater as it flows down the roof and channel it towards downspouts. But when these gutters become clogged due to the accumulation of stagnant water and organic debris like leaves, twigs, or bird’s nests, water overflows through them and leads to costly problems.
Therefore, it is better to thoroughly clean the rain gutters twice a year, in fall and spring, or more frequently if your house is surrounded by trees.
If you want to clean them by yourself, safety should be your top priority.
Ultimately, whether you choose DIY or professional services, regular gutter cleaning is a must to protect your home from water damage.
Regards,
Stay Safe, Stay Klean!
