As a homeowner, you want to save as much money as possible on home maintenance. Most of us are aware of the importance of gutter cleaning and might think it’s something we can do ourselves. But if you are one of those homeowners that never seem to get around to doing the gutter cleaning or you only manage it once every 18 months, hiring a professional gutter contractor might be a good investment. Here are five ways your gutters can save you money.
Replace the Gutters
Cleaning the gutters regularly will help increase the lifespan of your gutter system. In addition to other issues, debris hanging around inside the gutters adds weight, shortening longevity and putting stress on the fascia. Gutter cleaning yourself or hiring someone to do it for you twice a year might be a pain. But in the long run, it prevents the gutters from developing problems such as sagging, leaks, and mold growth – problems that can eventually lead to a system breakdown and having to replace the gutters.
Repair Your Home’s Exterior
When rainwater is stopped from exiting the gutter system through the downpipes because of clogs or debris buildup, water can escape into places it might cause damage. Moisture seeping in behind siding and the back of the gutters and into the fascia, down the siding into windows, splashing up into the soffit or backing up into the roofline causes wood rot, invasive mold growth, and other kinds of water damage. You can avoid having to replace the windows, window trim, siding, soffit, and fascia with regular gutter maintenance.
Repair the Foundation
Constantly overflowing gutters or downspouts that don’t drain properly can be a foundation’s worst nightmare. Excessive moisture in the soil around the foundation of a house causes it to shift, crack, sink, or buckle. Depending on the specific issue and the extent of the damage, it can cost thousands of dollars to fix – consistent gutter maintenance will help prevent you from having to repair the foundation.
Deal with a Flooded Basement
Gutters that aren’t cleaned often can become clogged, causing them to overflow. A gutter system that isn’t inspected and repaired regularly might leak. When water from overflowing or leaking gutters seeps into the basement, flooding might occur. Having to deal with a flooded basement isn’t just about a costly repair; it’s also about the loss of property, both practical and sentimental value. Cleaning the gutter system in the spring, and then again in the fall prevents clogs and debris buildup from forming in the gutters and downspouts.
Deal with Water-Logged Landscaping
Gutters that aren’t well-maintained overflow. If the issue is not addressed, you could have to add soil to the flowerbeds situated near the house and to other landscaped areas including the lawn where it has been washed out. Water-logged landscaping could also mean replacing your vegetable garden, flowers and shrubs due to constant “over-watering.”
