Gutter Cleaning: We All Need To Do It
We know its not the most appealing job in the world but everyone has to do it. Gutters need to be kept clean and tidy, free of dead leaves, nests and/or any other unwanted debris.
Our summers here in West Yorkshire are getting warmer and dryer whilst are Winter, Autumn and Spring tend to be rather wet and miserable. We tend to forget about our gutters, "out of sight, out of mind", until it's too late.
Dry leaves, branches and other foreign materials can accumulate in our gutters over the summer. Then when it comes back to the wetter months our gutters tend to overflow because we forgot to clear it. Or worse, we don't even notice!
As drainage experts, we would advise gutter cleaning twice a year: once in late Spring and again in late Summer into Autumn.
What happens if I don't clean my gutters?
This sounds like a simple question however unclean gutters can lead to complex and expensive problems such as cracked foundation, damage to gardens or driveway and leaks and mould. Ew!
Without gutter cleaning, you will end up with blocked gutters. One of the first problems with blocked gutters is that they lead to standing water. As dead leaves and tree branched begin to decompose this will turn the standing water dirty, leading to the growth of mould. No one wants mould. Mould can cause health problems if it gets inside your house and is tricky to clean and get rid of. By gutter cleaning, you can prevent this before it gets more serious/dangerous.
If you put off gutter cleaning, you are likely to damage your roof as it can and will leak. Any water that is not able to drain away can accumulate on your roof, soaking through causing significant damage to the roof and your home. Too much water can also flood your gardens and driveways. If your gutters are not draining properly this can cause water to congregate causing mould or ice on driveways, both of which can cause potentially serious injuries.
How would I spot any damage from lack of gutter cleaning?
A visual inspection of your gutters before the weather because wet and rainy will help spot any potential damage before it starts. Once the weather does turn, here are a few signs to look out for:
- Water where it should not be. If you spot any unusual signs of water such as leaks in your house, stains on walls, puddles in basements, these are major signs. Your property is at risk of serious damage.
- Leaky gutters or gutters that do not drain at all. If you notice that your drains are not flowing smoothly or at all, this suggests that there is a blockage in your gutters.
- Pools of water on your driveway. If you notice unusual puddles of standing water on your driveway or garden, this also suggests that your gutters are blocked.
It may not seem like rocket science but gutter cleaning can be a difficult and messy job. The trusty old, cutter cleaning by hand is very effective however new technology allows us to make the job easier and faster. Need to crack on with gutter cleaning? Heres a few tips on where to start:
- Wear health and safety protection. Make sure you wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself as you never know what could be hidden among those leaves.
- Be safe! It's okay wearing the protection however you need to act safely too. Make sure when using ladders that you have someone to help you as there is a chance of injury.
- Dispose of correctly. Make sure that you don't just throw the waster on the ground and that it is composted it left in a garbage bag to be collected. Leaving it on the ground could invite some unwanted visitors.
- Pay attention to any mould. If you come across any moud you can use a diluted bleach and water spray to clean it.
Need help with your gutters?
As we've summed up, it's important to clean your gutters. Gutter cleaning is an essential part of property maintenance. Whilst it is a job you may be able to do yourself, sometimes an experienced professional like our very own engineers can provide you with a sense of ease knowing the job has been done correctly.
Here at Metro Rod West Yorkshire, we use an innovative system called Metro Vac that uses a long pole to reach up to 10 metres high, removing the need for extra expenses such as scaffolding. Each pole holds an industrial wet vacuum cleaner that can easily lift moss, leaves and other debris from your gutters.
- No Mess
- Cost-effective
- Able to reach difficult out of reach areas
- Reduces health & safety risk
- Precision
Ideally located, Metro Rod West Yorkshire can cover properties over Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and surrounding areas.
If you’d like more information on gutter cleaning, and you’re in the West Yorkshire area, visit the Metro Rod West Yorkshire page to get in touch.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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