When to Clean Your Gutters
We quite often get asked the question “What is the best time of year to get the guttering cleaned out?”, and our answer is “it depends”. By that we mean that it depends on a number of factors that need to be considered.
When was it done last?
The first thing to consider is when the last time was you had your gutters cleaned. If it’s been more than a year then you should probably get it done as soon as possible to make sure you’re not on the way to some costly water damage.
If you have your guttering cleaned out once a year, it really doesn’t matter what time of year they are cleaned out because they will never have enough time unattended to allow them to get completely blocked.
Type of gutter debris
It’s not just leaves that block up your gutters. A lot of the time gutter blockages are caused by grass or plants that manage to grow in the silt that has eroded off your roof. The type of debris you get in your gutters will determine what time of year you need to clean them out.
For example, if your gutters normally get filled up with leaves, then the end of autumn is a good time to get them cleaned. If on the other hand it’s grass or plants then the beginning of spring would be a better time to get them cleaned.
Property location
Where you property is situated can influence how often and when your gutters need to be cleaned. If your property is near woodland, open fields, or is exposed in a rural area exposed to the wind, then you may want to consider getting your gutters cleaned at the end of every season or a minimum of twice per year.
Trees near the property
The number of trees near your property and the nearer they are, the more frequently you’ll need to check your gutters. In some cases, gutters may need to be cleaned two or three times during the months that the leaves are falling.
Type of roof
The type of roof on your property can also have an effect on when your gutters should cleaned. Most roof tiles in the UK – other than slate – will quite quickly erode, washing the silt into the gutters.
This silt provides a perfect foundation for plant life to grow, such as grass, plants, and trees. We see a lot of rain in the UK throughout the year, so this silt can build up quickly.
That said, you’ll tend to see plant life start to grow in spring and summer so it would make sense to get your gutters cleaned at the beginning of every spring to stop these blockages occurring.
An added benefit of getting your gutters cleaned in Spring is that you can make the most of this activity by washing the outsides of your gutters, soffits, and fascias as well, so they look nice and last longer.
Why You Need to Keep Your Gutters Clean
Keeping your gutters clean is one of the most important chores a homeowner has because clogged downspouts can pose so many problems. When gutters don’t get cleaned regularly, rainwater will collect and have nowhere else to go but inside the home where it can cause an incredible amount of damage. The excess moisture also gives mold and mildew an ideal breeding ground.
Should the worst happen and your home suffers water damage, mold growth and/or an insect infestation, the costs of remedying can easily reach into the thousands of pounds.
Don’t Put It Off!
Gutter cleaning is pretty easy to put off. It’s never a safe or easy chore to do, let alone an enjoyable one! Thankfully, you can get the professionals to do it for you. At Henley & District Property Services we are specialists in gutter cleaning, making sure your home looks the best it can be!
If you start to see the signs and symptoms of an unclean gutter, contact our professional gutter cleaning service. At Henley & District Property Services we can schedule in a yearly clean for you so that you don’t have to worry about remembering.