Here are 5 important reasons why you should clean your gutters in Autumn
Gutter cleaning is an integral part of homeownership. Your gutters may seem small, but they play a big role in keeping your home protected and safe when it rains and effectively prevent your property from falling victim to water infiltration and damage.
Autumn is a great time to tackle gutter maintenance, and here are 5 important reasons why.
One. More leaf litter will fill your gutters
It's no secret that autumn is the month where the weather starts to transition from hot to cooler, and the trees prepare themselves for even cooler weather ahead in winter. As they do this, they shed their leaves and they subsequently end up on the ground and the surrounding areas, gutters included. Due to this excessive leaf litter, your gutters will typically get more full at this time of the year than others, so it is imperative that you see to your gutter cleaning or pay someone to take care of it on your behalf for you.
Two. Prevent gutter damage
When your gutters fill up will autumn leaves, water is unable to pass through the guttering system as it normally would. This can cause a backlog of water and as a result, it can spill over and onto the roof and the house. The weight from the water along with the soaked autumn leaves can place avoidable stress on your gutter system. This can cause the fixings to come loose and, it can damage your guttering. This not only puts your home at risk of water damage, but it can be unsafe for those who walk underneath them. If they fall or someone walks into hanging guttering, it can cause injury. The constant pools of water in your gutters can cause other issues such as rust, and holes can form. Additionally, this will inhibit your gutters from working to their full ability and rather than the water running towards the downpipes, it will seep out of the holes instead and onto everything surrounding it.
Three. Keeps your roof protected
As mentioned, when rainwater cannot drain freely due to clogged gutters, the water will fill up in the gutter and run onto the roof. This is never a good thing, if the water happens to pool in one location on the roof for an extended period of time, it can permeate into the interior of the home. It may take some time to notice obvious signs of a roof leak, and by the time it is noticed, significant damage may have occurred. Rot and decay of timber and fixings can occur, this can make your home dangerous to live in and in most instances, it's expensive to fix.
Four. Prevents structural damage to the foundation
The foundation of your home is the structural stability of your property and if it is compromised in any way shape, or form, the integrity of your home may be at stake. Structural elements can break down as a result of water and moisture exposure. One of the main culprits of this is damaged gutters or clogged gutters. Foundational issues caused by water are typically due to water pooling at the foundation and permeating into porous structural elements such as concrete and timber. This can cause a plethora of concerns ranging from cracks and shifting to rot and deterioration.
Five. Keeps your home safe and healthy
Excess moisture or water behind your home walls, in the roof or in the air can affect your and your family's health and not in a good way. Mould, mildew and algae all love warm, dark and moist conditions and these places are all perfect for infestations to thrive if water is present. Many people live with mould behind their walls and in their roof and have no idea. These types of fungi can trigger many health conditions some of these include sneezing, respiratory conditions such as asthma, it can cause allergic conditions, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing and more.
Those who suffer from underlying health conditions may be more prone to experiencing these symptoms. People who have the following may experience severe reactions:
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chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung diseases.
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compromised immune systems
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allergies
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severe asthma
While you may be able to eradicate mould by removing the affected areas, the problem will not resolve unless the source of the water and dampness is rectified.
The thing about these contaminants is, they don't take long to become a widespread issue in a short amount of time, so if your home is showing signs of these or you suspect that your home may have them, it's best to take action straight away.
As you can see, there are many benefits to cleaning your gutters out in Autumn. This is when your gutters are likely to fill up and cause the most concern. Gold Coast Gutter cleaning can be messy and time-consuming plus it involves working at a height which can be dangerous if you don't have to correct equipment. Hiring a professional ensures your gutters are cleaned fast and properly. Our team here at Global Vac Gutter Cleaning use vacuum technology to clean gutters meaning your gutters are cleaned to a superior standard and there is no mess! We can inspect the condition of your gutters at the same time, allowing you to address any minor issues before they become big ones. Contact us today for more information.
