A blocked gutter can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Gutters are an integral piece of your home’s protection. They control the flow of rainwater to protect your roof, walls, foundation and gardens. If they aren’t kept clean, experts say gutters can turn from a necessity to a nightmare. A gutter clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Contractors say gutters with rubbish in them also make nice homes for pests. Rats and mice love the cosiness offered and mould and honeycombs from bee infestations can cause real damage. If you let gutter cleaning slip, it can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. “Gutters are a potential bomb above your head, if they stay out of sight, out of mind,” Damien from Action Painting and Gutter Cleaning said. “You need to keep on top of the maintenance to ensure you don’t end up spending thousands on repairs to your home.”

How often should gutters be cleaned?

It depends on where you live and, most importantly, how many trees are in your area. We recommend having your gutters cleaned in the spring and autumn. “I recommend people call me in the Autumn when all of their leaves are down or almost down, Damien says. “In the springtime, it is a matter of cleaning up after winter.” It’s important to have a professional clean the downspouts too. A clogged downspout makes it more difficult for the rain to drain away. That causes them to back up and overflow the gutter, which can cause damage to your home. Cleaning your gutters of leaves and other debris once or twice a year will protect your home from water damage.

Leaf guards can help avoid a blocked gutter

Leaf guards will significantly decrease the need for gutter maintenance. They really do help but they don’t eliminate the need completely. Instead of every four to six months, you may only need to clean them every one to three years. The frequency of maintenance will depend on the quality of the cover and the type and quantity of trees in the garden. Even if you do have gutter covers, it’s still a good idea to have a quick look over them about once a year. A guard will not keep all the debris out. Maybe 15 to 20 percent can still get in, and you still have to remove the guard. Sometimes you need a professional to do it for you. It’s important to buy quality covers and screens if you want to effectively limit the need for gutter maintenance, though. “You need to look for one that’s strong enough to hold up and suits your type of trees,” he says.

Do the job yourself or hire?

Although cleaning gutters is a task most homeowners can do themselves, it can be dangerous work. Accidents like falling from the ladders can make it a real hazard. Before getting on your ladder, be sure it’s sturdy and in good condition. Climb the first two steps to determine if the ground is level. For soft soil, place plywood under the legs of the ladder. Make sure you don’t rest the ladder on the gutters themselves because the additional weight can cause them to collapse. During a cleaning, a professional should remove of all debris from the roof. The gutters and downspouts should be cleared too. The cost of gutter cleaning ranges from $150 for a single storey to $250 to around double storey. Before contracting someone to clean your gutters, check that they carry liability insurance. Don’t fall victim to the huge costs associated with putting right the damage caused by blocked gutters for the sake of a few dollars!