When it comes to roof maintenance, cleaning out your gutters is incredibly important.
Many people don’t clean their gutters as they should. In fact, it is one of the most overlooked roof maintenance tasks, probably because many people just don’t think that it’s important. No homeowner wants to have to pay for roof repairs or replacement when it could have been prevented, and if you keep your gutters clean, it can go a long way to protecting your roof and preventing future issues. At Sargeant’s Roofing, not only do we provide expert roofing services in Edmonton, we also want to educate you on how to best take care of your roof —saving you both time and money in the future.
Why is it so important to keep your gutters clean?
Your gutters provide the only way for rainwater, melted snow and other condensation to leave your roof. If you don’t take proper care of your gutters, the situation can quickly spiral out of control, leaving you with expensive repairs and, most likely, a pretty big headache. When twigs, leaves and other debris build up in your gutters, it prevents moisture from being able to escape from your roof, and with nowhere else to go, it could start to seep into your shingles, leading to roof leaks. Additionally, many roofers have found mold, rodents, bee infestations and other nasty surprises in neglected gutters. The bottom line is that the simple task of keeping your gutters clean could potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on repairs and pest management.
In addition to having your gutters cleaned, it’s also important to have your downspouts cleared out. To put it bluntly, there’s no point in having your gutters cleaned if your downspouts aren’t also cleaned, because, if your downspouts are clogged, water will just back up into your gutters and, eventually, onto your roof.
How often should you have your gutters cleaned?
How often you need to have your gutters cleaned largely depends on how many trees you have in your yard and around your home. The more trees you have, the faster your gutters could get clogged, so if you practically have a forest in your yard, keep an eye on your gutters often to ensure that they aren’t clogged up with debris. However, as a general rule, your gutters should be cleaned twice a year, preferably in the spring and in the fall.
Should you hire a professional to clean out your gutters or do it on your own?
While cleaning the gutters could certainly be a job you do on your own, it can also be quite dangerous. Thousands of Canadians fall in ladder-related accidents every year, so before you climb up a ladder to clean your gutters, it’s incredibly important to make sure that the following safety measures are followed:
- Place the ladder on a flat, even surface.
- Double check that every rung or step is sturdy and in good shape.
- If you have to set the ladder on soft soil, place a piece of plywood under the legs for added stability.
- Avoid resting the ladder on your gutters, because the added weight could cause them to collapse.
- Always have someone hold the ladder steady.
Staying safe while cleaning your gutters is essential, but if you want to avoid the risks altogether, you always have the option to hire a professional to keep your gutters clean.
As you can see, cleaning your gutters is an important step in protecting your roof and preventing the need for repairs and premature replacement in the future. At Sargeant’s Roofing, we offer roofing maintenance in Edmonton for both cedar and asphalt roofs, and we would be happy to help you keep your gutters clean and protect your roof. Contact us today to learn more.