An item that should be on every homeowner's exterior fall maintenance list is gutter clean-out.  Gutters are one of the most important aspects of a  roof.  A good rain handling system is necessary to remove the water away from the home so it doesn't end up in the house. Without having properly working gutters and downspouts installed on your home,  you're going to find many different problems  that wouldn't exist if your gutter system was doing the job to keep the water away.

Why Neglect Your Gutters?

There are so many reasons why homeowners might neglect their gutters.   Gutters are in a hard place to reach without a ladder, and if you cannot reach them, you might forget that they are even there. And since you can't see into them without climbing up there, you probably don't even think about what could be accumulating in them.  Out of sight, out of mind, right?  Also, many homeowners believe the rain is going to clean them out and wash everything down the drain.  But that's not true - if those gutters are clogged, the rain is only going to make things worse.

By neglecting your gutters, you're doing more bad than good.   The falling rain isn't cleaning out those gutters, and it's just making more problems.  If you get up on a ladder and take a good look, you will probably find that they are holding debris, from leaves to small twigs and even more.  And accumulating debris can lead to the development of mold, algae, and just general gunk because the things clogging up your gutters get wet and stay that way whenever it rains.

Importance of Gutter Maintenance

Clean and check the gutter system on your home every few months, or at the least in the spring after the snows are gone and then again in the fall once all the leaves are off the trees. You want to make sure there is nothing inside them, while also ensuring that the gutter system is connected to your home and has no leaks. If you have trees around your home, make sure to clean them out more often. Unless you've got a leaf barrier product, blowing debris ends up in gutters.  And even if you've got a barrier system, you still should check your gutters and clean them out periodically because smaller particles such as roofing granules can still clog them up.

Make sure that anything growing within the gutters is removed completely and that water is able to safely go down the spout.   Gutters may seem like a minor thing, but failing or improperly maintained gutters can actually lead to roof damage - or worse.  You can improve the drainage of water away from the home, instead of having it leak inside it.

Your Gutter Care Options

You can either clean the gutters out yourself  or you can hire someone to do this work for you. This is one option that homeowners tend to like; they can schedule regular gutter cleaning for their homes and don't have to think about it. This way, you won't forget to do it.  It doesn't matter how you choose to maintain your gutters, the one thing that is true is that they absolutely have to be maintained.  And while you're cleaning them out, it's the perfect time to check for leaks that may need repair or damaged gutter sections that should be replaced.

As a roofing contractor, we understand the importance of gutters in protecting a home.  If your gutters are in sorry shape, perhaps it's time to install a new seamless steel gutter system around your home.  Seamless gutters mean no gaps or seams that can leak.  Gutter sections are actually manufactured on site right at your home, specifically to fit snugly against your roof's edge.

We are a licensed, full-service MN exterior home remodeling company, and we've been providing home improvement services such as seamless gutters for homes and businesses in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area for over 30 years. Check out our Pinterest page for some of the work that we do around Minnesota.  For a free estimate, give us a call today at 763.785.1472.