How will I know if my gutters need to be cleaned?
Some good indicators are water coming over the top, water in the basement, water constantly dripping or leaking from the gutters when it is not raining or hasn’t rained recently. You may have water leaking inside your home/building, generally where the ceilings meet the walls. These are the most obvious signs of clogged gutters, sometimes the signs are not as easy to spot, which is why we recommend cleaning the gutters at least twice a year.
How do gutters get clogged?
Typically, gutters become clogged from leaves which fall twice a year: late spring/early summer mid to late June after all the blossoms; “helicopters” and seed pods are done falling. These will clog gutters and any underground drains on the system. In addition, sometimes birds and squirrels may build nests inside or behind your gutters which can also cause a clog.
Do I need to be home when my gutters are cleaned?
No, you do not. It’s always great meeting a new customer but we know it’s difficult to schedule life around the gutter guy. Dr. Downspout will come out, do a great job cleaning and inspecting your gutters. We’ll follow up with an email letting you know if there are any problems with the gutters that need further attention. Be sure to give us a “heads up” if you have pets that may be outside and be sure to secure any pet that may not be welcoming to strangers on the day your cleaning is scheduled.
How long does gutter cleaning take?
There is no set time for a job to be done since there are so many different kinds of homes, as well as what needs to be done.
Why should I hire someone to clean my gutters?
You should hire someone to clean your gutters for many reasons, first of all, we are professionals who do this every day. We can do it much safer, more thoroughly and more efficiently than you would be able to. Second, being gutter professionals, we may spot problems you would not be aware of. Thirdly, we have years of experience on ladders. For most people, it is not worth the risk of falling to save the small fee we charge.
Why consider a gutter protection system?
There are a number of reasons to consider a gutter protection system. Clogged gutters can cause thousands of dollars in damages to your home from rotting boards,foundation repair, and landscaping erosion. Depending on the type of tree coverage, it may be impossible to clean your gutters often enough to keep them functioning well. Second, even with regular cleaning, massive amounts of debris wash into your underground drains. Once these drains clog, expensive repair is inevitable. If you have drains going under a concrete path or driveway, gutter protection should be mandatory. Third, safety is an issue. Every year, thousands of people fall from ladders and approximately three hundred and fifty of those falls are fatal. Finally, a quality gutter protection system will add value to your home, making your home more desirable when it comes time to sell.
Will any debris enter my gutter after gutter protection is installed?
If you choose a competitors product, then yes, debris will most certainly enter your gutters. If you choose one of our micro-mesh gutter protection systems, it’s impossible for any debris to enter your gutter. Nothing but clear water can enter your gutter through our micro-mesh protection systems.
Is there a recommended schedule for gutter cleaning?
Yes and no. Your gutters need to be serviced as soon as they aren’t functioning optimally. This can happen at any time. If you see water spilling over your gutter, call us right away..
Generally speaking, there are 4 times a year you will want to consider gutter cleaning:
The Beginning of Spring (March 1st – April 30th)
The weight of snow, ice, branches, twigs, and other debris throughout the winter may loosen a gutter system or even take them down completely. Seed pods, buds, “helicopters”, ragweed, and other debris will shed from the trees. This debris can act like a sponge that quickly clogs the gutters and leaders. These clogs, eventually, lead to gutter damage and possibly water damage to your home. Make sure your gutters are in top shape to handle the “April Showers”.
Early Summer (June1st – June 30th)
During the spring months trees are growing and they shed into your gutters. This debris is often smaller than the leaves in the Fall, but clog your gutter system nonetheless. Additionally, branches, twigs, and other debris pulled off trees will clog your gutters. Cleaning gutters now prepares your gutters for any big summer thunderstorms. Having your gutters completely clean will enable your system to handle the largest amounts of rain possible, which will reduce the risk of damage to your home.
The Beginning of Fall (Sept 1st – Sept 30th)
Chances are, the summer thunderstorms brought down a good amount of leaves and debris. As autumn begins, many trees are beginning to shed leaves, contributing to continually clogged gutters. The best way to control the overwhelming volume of fall debris and avoid water damage to your home is to clean your gutters regularly in the fall. Early Fall cleaning is essential for avoiding overflow which can cause flooded basements and damage to property.
Late Fall/Early Winter (Nov 10th – December 31st)
This is a critical time to have your gutters cleaned. Combine clogged gutters with the weight of snow and ice and you will likely be looking at major repairs or replacement come Spring. Dr. Downspout tries to time our Fall cleaning after all the leaves have fallen and before the first snow.