When Is The Best Time To Clean Your Roof & Gutter?
Each spring homeowners all over the U.S. find themselves thinking about cleaning their roofs and gutters. In fact, spring is the perfect time of year to get a roof inspection from a professional roofing company. It pays to make sure that gutters are clean, free of cracks and still getting the job done.
It’s also the time of year when people install gutter guards. Spring cleaning your roof includes not only a complete roof inspection but the installation of gutter guards when necessary. For homes that suffered severe damage during the winter, spring is a popular time for roof repair, too.
It’s recommended to carry out rain gutter maintenance every four months but at a minimum, twice a year, in the fall and spring. You can also use your judgment on how often to clean your gutters based on how frequently leaves fall in your area and the types of leaves. It’s a good idea before and after heavy rains or snowfall to do a visual inspection of your home’s gutters. If you see a build-up of leaves, twigs, berries and so on, use a garden hose to flush out the debris that’s blocking the free flow of water. We don’t recommend tackling a new gutter installation yourself, but some straightforward maintenance will help get your home prepped for the summer storms.
How To Clean Your Roof
Whether the harsh winter season left you with roof and gutter damage or not, spring is a good time to take a close look at your home’s exterior. Here’s a quick spring-cleaning checklist for your roof that every homeowner should know about:
- Visibly inspect all major components of the home’s roof, including gutters, shingles, protrusions (chimneys, air ducts, antenna supports, etc.)
- Shine a strong flashlight into the guttering and look for debris and blockages of any kind
- Note any areas where shingles are worn or missing
- Look under eaves and on all exterior walls for water and other types of damage, discoloration, dents from hail, worn spots, and chipped paint
- Walk around the perimeter of the foundation in search of apparent entry points for water, gully-like perforations in the ground, and holes
- Contact a local roofing contractor (such as AmeriPro Roofing) if you spot anything suspicious
- Photograph everything you find during your short inspection and make notes about the overall health of the gutters and roof that you can share with the roofing expert when they come to inspect your roof
If everything appears to be in good shape, it’s still a good idea to call a roofing professional for a post-winter inspection. AmeriPro Roofing can come out and inspect your roof for any damage. Our highly trained team can also clean the gutters, install gutter guards and make sure your home is ready for the next round of climate extremes.
Why Do Gutters Matter?
Gutters are not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the beauty or curb appeal of our home. You might find yourself asking, “why do I need gutters?”. The reality is, while gutters are not that pretty, they play an integral role in protecting your most substantial investment—your home. Gutters redirect rainwater runoff away from your home, helping avoid soil erosion, foundation water damage, roofing problems, siding damage, and wood rot. Keeping the entire gutter system around your home in top shape will go a long way toward preventing these kinds of issues.
Why Should You Maintain Your Gutters?
Rain gutters fail when leaves and other types of debris clog the downspouts, trapping water which can then seep behind the fascia board and gutters, causing rot and mold. Even before hiring a professional team to clean or carry out maintenance on your gutters, there are some basic things you can do to help minimize debris build up, such as regular gutter cleaning with a high-pressure hose. It’s always better to take preventive measures rather than treating the problem after the fact which can be more costly and take longer to fix. Although cleaning gutters is a task most homeowners can do themselves, it can be dangerous work.