Gutter cleaning should always be part of your household cleaning checklist, even if they are out of sight. Failing to clean your gutters will put your home at risk of significant foundation and structural damage. Like any other part of your home, your gutters and downspouts need regular cleaning and maintenance.
As a homeowner, you need to follow the best practices and ignore misconceptions about gutter cleaning. In this post, we want to share some gutter myths that you should stop believing to save you from expensive repairs and better protect your home.
All you need to do is remove the leaves in your gutters.
Yes, removing leaves is important but the work doesn’t end there. When you only clean larger debris, you are only doing half of the job. A lot of obvious debris and gunk will accumulate in your gutters, so make sure to get rid of them.
Aside from cleaning, you should conduct gutter inspections and repairs to check if there are leaks and loose screws. Preventing clogs and fixing leaks is key to prolonging the lifespan of your gutter system.
Cleaning gutters is very simple.
Gutter cleaning isn’t as simple and straightforward as you think. Most of the time, you are required to climb up a ladder and put yourself at risk as you remove all the debris in your gutter. You might lose your balance and fall on the ground. It is quite dangerous even if you have all the necessary skills and equipment. If you don’t have experience in cleaning your gutters, it’s always best to hire a professional to do the job for you.
All gutter cleaning techniques are equal.
Leaf blowing is one of the most popular gutter cleaning methods, but it isn’t the only way to get the job done. All of these cleaning techniques have their pros and cons. Regardless of which one you choose, make sure you consult with a professional gutter cleaning company.
You can clean gutters by hand or use different tools to remove the debris. Aside from leaf blowing, you can try pressure cleaning or wet/dry vacuum technology to achieve a thorough clean.
Anyone can clean their gutters from a ladder.
Did you know that ladder accidents cause thousands of workplace and home-related injuries? If you are planning to clean the gutters yourself, you better think twice before you start with your DIY project. Working from a ladder is extremely dangerous and life-altering. Not anyone can pull out grime and remove leaves while standing above ground level. Skip the hassle of cleaning gutters by scheduling a consultation with a pro!
A handyman can do just as good a job as a professional gutter cleaner.
Yes, a local handyman or roofing contractor is physically capable of working while standing on a ladder. However, gutter cleaning is not their specialty.
Most of the time, they only have several tools and general knowledge about gutter cleaning and repairs. This does not guarantee that they will be able to do a good and thorough job in removing all the dirt and gunk in your gutters and downspouts. Since they don’t have the experience or the right equipment, they might even charge you more for the labor.
All you need is the right equipment.
While having the right equipment is recommended, you still need to have the proper training and experience to skillfully clean your gutters. Hiring a gutter cleaning expert gets your job done quickly and efficiently. Removing visible dirt and debris in gutters might be easy for you.
However, a professional can effortlessly identify issues you might’ve overlooked. Moreover, they are qualified and trained to provide gutter maintenance that could save you from more expensive repairs later.
Gutters should be cleaned once a year.
Even if you don’t live near many trees, you still need to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Cleaning them every six months will ensure they are working properly and without any issues. The frequency of gutter cleaning still varies depending on where your property is located as well as the nearby trees and landscapes.
Gutter repairs and maintenance should also come hand in hand with cleaning. This will help you determine if any clogs or gutter problems need to be fixed immediately.
Gutter cleaning schedules don’t matter.
Many homeowners think that they can simply clean their gutter systems whenever they like. But, experts think that the end of spring and the start of autumn are the best time of the year to clear debris in your gutters. The task will be a lot easier because the leaves start to fall and you can effortlessly remove such debris. Around these seasons, you don’t have to deal with extreme summer heat or ice dams that accumulate during the winter.
Leaf protectors and gutter guards are more than enough.
Relying only on gutter guards will cause too much trouble due to expensive repairs. Leaf protection systems can trap large debris and leaves but pine needles, twigs, and seeds can still fall through the cracks. When they accumulate in your gutters, they can attract pests that will then settle into your home. Prevent that from happening by hiring a professional gutter cleaner.
Hate Cleaning Your Gutters? We Can Help You!
Feel free to call Pittsburgh Gutter Cleaning today for a free, no-commitment quote. We can handle your gutter cleaning, so you don’t have to worry about your gutters and downspouts anymore!