It depends! Some houses can go for a couple of years between cleanings. Others need cleaning twice a year or more. Each situation is different

Develop a history

Starting out to find how often cleaning is needed the gutters and down spouts should be checked twice a year for signs of blockage, leaks and possible overflowing. If you live in a high rainfall area or have a lot of trees hanging over the house you may want to increase the frequency of checking the gutter system. As you check the system and track the need for cleaning after a season or two it will be very clear what is needed for gutter cleaning frequency

For those who can not see any of the gutters from inside the house and do not climb ladders checking the system for blockage can be relatively easy. On clear days check of signs of mold or streaking on places the gutters may over flow. Observe the siding for discolorations indicating water leaks. Just when it starts to rain go to the out let of he downspouts and if water does not flow very soon after the start of a heavy rain you know that something is blocking either the gutters or leaders. If you want to stay dry and the garden hose spray can reach the roof the same test can be done of the system by spraying water on the roof and simulating a rain, checking the water flows down the system as it saturates the roof and fills the gutter.

This way you do not have to clean the gutters more often than needed. Regardless if you are doing it yourself or paying some one to climb up and clean the gutters no one wants to waste time energy or money on something that is not needed.

Cleaning frequency

Prior to having a history on when gutter cleaning is need for a house follow this rule of thumb. Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned and checked for signs of necessary repairs at least twice a year. Typically, the best times to do this are spring when the tree seed pods and flower debris are down and fall when the leaves are down but take care not to wait so long a prolonged freeze sets in. Each year this window of opportunity can be very different. The late fall option can be difficult if put off too long and you get into snow and freezing weather were it is not safe or practical to work on gutters. If you suspect a problem or live in an extremely rainy climate, then perhaps, you should check and clean the gutters more frequently. If there are a lot of trees that are high or over hang the roof then the need for cleaning will naturally increase the frequency. Some people cannot tell in advance the need for gutter cleaning so just wait till the gutters show a problem then have them cleaned. This method can stretch out the need for cleaning but also lead to a sudden death playoff with problems in the winter being the hardest to resolve if there are freezing conditions. If you live in an area that winter is cold enough for freezing then you can get ice dams in the gutters and water pouring into the house as melting snow from the heat inside works up under the roof since the ice blocks the normal flow of water off the roof. As you keep track of how much material is removed at cleaning, how full the gutters are and if there are blocked downspouts you will know what the right frequency is. Most houses always have bad spot and areas of guttering that stays clear.

“How Often Gutters Should Be Cleaned”

Was written By Dana Huntley of Gutter Cleaning Hampton

http://guttercleaninghampton.com

Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? Looks magnificent isn’t it? What if you come home one rainy day and see this site in your own house? How will it make you feel? I am pretty sure you will freak out and would want to leave that very day. This is the damage done by clogged gutters.

This is just one of the damage done from clogged gutters. As the years progress, houses will definitely be nagged by clogged gutters. It’s inevitable given the seasons that they encounter and the leaves that fall off the trees. It is part of aging and without the right maintenance; it can wreak havoc to our homes.

Here is the damage done by clogged gutters

Yes, clogged gutters are a pain. It has numerous effects. The first one is overflowing water. When the weather pours down in a torrential rain, it will reach a tipping point where it will look for ways to get out. It can seep through your walls, ceiling and can eventually flood the basement. Water is the source of life but in excess amounts can destroy life as we know it. It also leaves a powerful stain. Once it flows, it leaves a mark. Clogged gutters can also be heavy enough to pull down the gutter itself. Imagine the impact of an aluminum structure falling down on your head. It can also bring down part of the roof itself. If the damage done by clogged gutters is not addressed the roofing structure and fascia can come down with it.

Second is the damage done by clogged gutters leaving stagnant water behind. The most damage is when it is hidden in the walls and attic. The insulation or wood gets wet and stays wet for extended periods of time. These areas do not have the sun and outside air to dry them. Outside if these are not properly drained it can become a breeding ground for disease carrying insects and parasites. Mosquitoes, mice and cockroaches will have a field day. They will now have a special place to stay and multiply. These creatures can make people seriously sick. Imagine if you have a baby in the house. Do you want your son or daughter to suffer because you failed to maintain the cleanliness of the gutter? If these things don’t get to you, bacteria and viruses will. Remember moisture and a damp place is the ideal environment these microorganisms thrive on. They can bring diseases to your house.

Third is the aesthetical part. Imagine a dilapidated structure with falling gutters and cracked downspouts. It is like a bunker in a zombie movie. It makes the house look old and dirty. Going home every single day will be a challenge. Seeing your home look the way it is will be very depressing. The gutters accentuate the neatness and beauty of your house. But it can also highlight the ugliness of an ill maintained structure.

Bottom line, gutters play a significant role. The damage done by clogged gutters can cause both physical harm and ruin your property. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Gutters need to be maintained regularly. If you want a nice place to live, ensure that you are diligent enough to clean your gutters.

Do you hate home repairs? I don’t think many of us really like them, but they are a necessary part of owning your own home. One of the most important tasks of maintaining your home is the need to clean your gutters, especially prior to, and even during winter. Clogged and badly maintained gutters can cause you more trouble than you may think.

First let’s understand the purpose of a gutter. Its primary function is to remove moisture away from the house and direct it to a place where it will cause no damage to the home or to the property in general. A badly directed water flow could lead to erosion in the driveway or landscaping and that is no good either.

Failure to maintain your gutters leads to four primary problems:

Gutter damage: If gutters are not properly maintained, then they will eventually become blocked by debris such as leaves and dirt. This debris does not allow water to flow through the gutter, causing it to build up and eventually overflow. The overflow will lead to sagging in the gutter which will cause permanent damage to the gutter itself. Over time, these sections will deteriorate so much that they will break away and leave gaps within your gutter system.

House Damage: By not maintaining your gutters, you actually risk causing damage to your home. There are many ways that water can damage your home. As I mentioned before, if water is not directed away from the home it can seep under the foundation causing erosion. This can lead to the home leaning or cracking, the driveway cracking, or water flowing into your basement, causing flooding or water damage. If the water is overflowing the gutter system, it can run down walls to your home damaging paint, siding, windows, and window frames. Blockages can also lead to the gutter becoming so heavy that they begin to pull away from the house, causing structural damage to the home and roof, where the gutter was attached. This can lead to water coming into the home, damaging the inner walls and insulation. It also can mean that the affected areas may grow mold and cause a health risk to you and your family.

Roof Damage: As I previously mentioned, blockage like this can cause damage to the roof. If the gutter becomes too heavy that it pulls away from the home, it may also pull away shingles and other roofing materials, causing a leak in your home. This will allow water to enter the home.  But this is not the only problem the roof may face.  If the water builds up in the gutter, so that it runs under the roof, it may cause rotting. Rotting may lead to the roof collapsing, especially if you live in an area where it is below freezing during the winter. If water is allowed to back up onto the roof and cause rotting, when that water later freezes, it will be heavier and is more likely to cause the roof to give way, leading to very expensive amount of damage.

Unexpected Damage: Not properly maintaining your gutters also has consequences you may not have considered. If you live in a cold weather area, water that accumulates in areas near your home may become frozen, which can lead to injuries from slipping and falling. Water build-up is a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and mold, and can lead to health problems. It also will attract insects that need a moist environment. Those animals may cause other problems to your home, like raccoons getting into your garbage, or squirrels building nests in your walls.

This clearly shows you why it is so important to have your gutters cleaned.  It is well worth the investment to make sure you clean your gutters well.