Cleaning the gutters is a home’s best defence against water damage that can result in damaged roofs, flooded basements, and soggy landscaping. the leaves have fallen. When debris builds up int gutter troughs, clogs form, preventing runoff from flowing freely into the downspouts. Because the lower mainland is in a temperate climate zone, it receives a lot of rain during the year, making cleaning the gutters a necessary home maintenance task. Reasons gutter cleaning is important in Vancouver include lots of trees, potential pollutants in runoff, and the consequences of water damage.
Lots of Trees
Many neighbouhoods in the lower mainland are surrounded by a lot of trees, both coniferous and deciduous. Coniferous trees tend to grow quickly in temperate climates. Unlike deciduous trees, pine trees tend to drop needles and pine cones throughout the year rather than in one particular season. Deciduous trees shed blossoms and seed pods in the late spring and leaves in the fall.
For homeowners or renters who have only deciduous trees growing on their property, cleaning the gutters once in late spring and again in the fall after the trees have shed their leaves should provide adequate protection. People whose houses are surrounded by either a combination of coniferous and deciduous trees or just conifers or a higher density of trees might need to gutter clean more often – three times a year or once every change of season, depending on the amount of debris that typically lands in the gutters.
Pollution
Debris build-up not only causes blockages in a gutter system, it also breaks down into an organic sludge that is high in pollutants. When runoff containing decomposed debris exits the gutters, it can get into surrounding rivers, lakes, and other waterways, harming fish, plants, and wildlife, and reducing water quality.
Cleaning the gutters on the outside is just as important as clearing the debris away on the inside. Dirt, grime, and grit are deposited onto the surface of the gutters, inside and out, by wind and rain. When not washed away or rinsed off, the pollutants in dirt and grime can compromise the protective finish of the gutter system.
Prevents Watterlogged Landscaping
Gutter cleaning reduces the chances of the gutters overflowing, spilling water over the sides of the gutter troughs. It also prevents downspouts from becoming blocked, causing water to pool underneath the downpipes. Rainwater that is not properly drained away from the house can damage landscaping such as affecting tree roots, causing soil erosion, and “overwatering” plants.
Extends the Life of the Roof
Clogged gutters don’t allow runoff to exit the gutter system. This can cause water to remain on the roof. Pooled water can damage roofing shingles, rot the wood components of a roofing system, and become the source of leaks. Cleaning the gutters regularly at least twice a year can extend the life of your roof, preventing stagnant water from forming and doing harm to the structure of your home.
Discourages Pest Infestations
Gutters filled with bits of leaves, twigs, pine cones, and needles can look very inviting to pests. Wasps, bees, birds and squirrels find a gutter system, already conveniently filled with nesting materials, especially in the corners, very inviting. Gutters with standing water are especially attractive to mosquitoes. Once pests like squirrels and mice move in, they can burrow into gaps and holes in walls, soffits, and siding, and enter your home (where it’s warmer in the winter).
