While it doesn’t seem much cooler, the kids are back at school and fall is on its way. Cleaning the gutters regularly is one of your home maintenance priorities. That’s why you hire a gutter cleaning service. But did you know that most gutter cleaning companies do more than just clean the gutters? If other areas of your home’s exterior need some attention too, ask your gutter contractor what other services they offer.
The Roof
Many gutter pros know their way around a roof. They can check for leaks, identify compromised shingles, repair damage, and replace missing roofing tiles. Some gutter companies might not be able to do the actual repairs, but will let you know if you need to call a roofer.
If it hasn’t been done in a while (or ever), they can inspect the flashings around vents, chimneys, roof valleys, and other roof protrusions like dormer windows or a sun roof.
A gutter contractor can also clean off the roof, which is a good place to start when getting your gutters cleaned.
Some gutter contractors will clean the chimney and remove any accumulated debris.
The Gutter System
In addition to the regular things a gutter contractor does such as installing gutter systems, gutter cleaning, and doing repairs, gutter cleaning services also conduct detailed inspections for troubleshooting purposes. They will inspect the gutters for leaks, sagging gutter sections, and cracking (mostly applicable to vinyl gutters), and then make any necessary repairs.
After cleaning the gutters, a gutter pro might make some suggestions as to how the downspouts might function more efficiently. Suggested changes could include:
- adding downspout extenders to carry rainwater further away from the foundation
- removing or repairing a damaged section of downpipe
- adding more downspouts to the gutter system
- upgrading from a 2 x 3 inch downpipe to a 3 x 4 inch downspout
Power Washing
While we here at MHC Gutters advise homeowners not to use a power washer on their gutters, siding, windows, etc., you can trust professional contractors to safely pressure wash the outside of your house.
If the driveway, steps, and sidewalks look dusty, grimy and dingy, spruce up the exterior of your home now by giving them a thorough cleaning.
Ditto the windows and shutters. Cleaning off exterior windows is especially important this time of year – you want to let as much light inside as possible before it gets dark earlier.
Improved Drainage
When surface rainwater collects in large pools on the lawn or near your foundation, it could be a sign that you are experiencing drainage problems. Gutter cleaning pros might also know how to install a French drain or some other type of drainage bed that moves runoff water away from the house and redirects it to avoid pooling.
