Cleaning the gutters is a hassle for many homeowners; however, having clean gutters is essential to preventing water damage and other concerns, like freezing and pests. Plus, it helps keep your home looking nice and tidy! You might be wondering how often you should clean your gutters. The truth is, the answer varies depending on where you live.
In this blog, we’ve assembled a few pro-approved pointers on when you should clean out your gutters to get the most out of them. Read on to learn more.
So, How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
So, the good news is that you don’t have to clean your gutters as often as you think. Generally, you should get your trusty ladder out of the garage to clean your gutters twice a year, and at the very minimum, you should clean them at least once in the late fall to prevent debris buildup that hinders their performance.
Folks surrounded by foliage and other gorgeous greenery may have to clean their gutters more frequently. For instance, if your home is near a crowd of angry oak trees that throw acorns into your gutters regularly, we recommend having those gutters cleaned every three months. Cleaning your gutters more frequently will ensure they are free from debris and do what they’re supposed to do every day of the year.
The Best Time for Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning your gutters is a seasonal task. Specifically, spring and fall are the best times to clean your gutters. Incorporating gutter cleaning into your list of spring-cleaning to-dos will help prepare your gutters for summer foliage and the consistent rainfall that comes with the changing seasons. Spring cleaning also gives you a golden opportunity to check your gutters’ health following winter freezes and look for leaks or other damage.
After summer comes and goes, it’s time to clean your gutters again toward the beginning of fall. Fall cleaning will help remove debris from the season’s change and fallen leaves. Plus, cleaning your gutters in the fall versus the summer allows you to beat the heat.
Why Should You Clean Your Gutters?
As you read this blog, you might be wondering: do I have to clean my gutters? The short answer is yes, you do. Gutters play a very important role in preserving the condition of your home. For instance, clogged gutters can lead to flooding issues, build up debris, and damage your foundation over time if standing water collects around your home.
Flooded gutters also create an opportunity for pests to breed in standing water. Neglecting to keep up with your gutters in the spring and fall could mean dealing with more mosquitos and other unwanted insects in the summer. In other words, cleaning your gutters twice a year could save you a fortune on citronella candles.
However, if you don’t have the tools necessary to clean your gutters, don’t panic. Professional gutter cleaning services like the Window Genie are often around the corner to lend a helping hand.
Cleaning your gutters requires you to have the necessary gear, including protective masks and safety goggles, to ensure debris and other particles don’t get into your eyes. In many cases, trusting a professional service could save you heaps of time and money trying to source these materials and do the work yourself.
Home Features That Can Increase the Need for Gutter Cleaning
The nature surrounding your home might warrant additional cleanings throughout the year. When figuring out how often you should plan to clean out your gutters, consider the following factors:
- Location: If your home is at the bottom of a slope or in a low-lying area, it may be more prone to flooding. This would make gutter cleaning vital to keeping as much water away from your foundation as possible.
- Local Rainfall: The number of heavy storms and rainfall in your home’s area can affect how often your gutters need to be cleaned.
- Foliage: If you have many mature trees and thick foliage around your home, this may clog up your gutters faster than an area without trees.
- Pine trees: Pine trees especially can require more frequent cleanings, as they shed their needles year-round.
Professional Gutter Cleaning With Window Genie
So there you have it, while gutter cleaning can be a challenging task without the proper equipment, it’s a very necessary step in maintaining your home. On the bright side, you only have to clean your gutters twice a year depending on where you live. Not only does regular gutter cleaning keep your home looking nice and clean, but it also preserves its foundation while keeping pests away.
If you need help getting the job done or just want to eliminate the hassle of cleaning your gutters altogether, the professionals at Window Genie are here to help. Window Genie provides professional gutter cleaning services. Our pre-screened service professionals are fully insured and vetted to serve your home, meaning you can let us take care of it with peace of mind.
And to top it all off, our Neighborly Done Right Promise™ guarantees satisfaction for every customer: if it’s not done right the first time, we will make it right.
View our locations to find the closest Window Genie to your home!
