It’s that time of year again: leaves are falling, and your gutters are full. You may be tempted to just let them be and deal with the mess in the spring, but that’s a big mistake. Clogged gutters can cause all sorts of problems for your home, from water damage to foundation issues, and even pest infestation.
The good news is that on the East End, there are reliable professional gutter cleaning services that can take care of this for you before it becomes a potentially expensive problem. Read on to learn more about why you need to keep your gutters clean and how a professional service can help.
Your gutters play a vital role in protecting your home from water damage. They channel rainwater away from your roof and foundation, keeping your basement dry. Clogged gutters can cause all sorts of problems, and water damage is a main concern. When they’re full of leaves and debris, they can’t redirect the water properly. Then water can back-up and overflow, leading to damage on the roof, siding and trim, and in extreme cases it can lead to leaks in your ceilings and walls. And that could lead to mold and mildew growth on top of any cosmetic staining. Also, in the colder months, when an investment property or vacation home is likely closed up for the season, the water build up can create ice dams that would make the roof damage and potential for leaks even worse.
And don’t overlook the problems misdirected water can cause to the foundation. Gutters that aren’t draining properly can cause water to pool around your foundation, which can lead to cracking, settling, and other serious issues, including basement floods. Remember those ice dams? Eastern Long Island’s periodic winter thaws will turn that ice into waterfalls right next to the foundation.
If water damage concerns aren’t enough to get you calling a gutter cleaning company, maybe the potential pest infestations will. Mosquitoes, ants, birds, and other pests love nothing more than a nice, wet, leaf-filled gutter. If you’re not keeping your gutters clean, you could be inviting all sorts of critters to take up residence on your roof, and in your eaves.
For an investment as important as your vacation home, it’s smart to hire a professional. They have the experience and the equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently, including proper disposal of the debris. Also, they can quickly identify any potential maintenance issues and quickly address them.
In most cases an annual cleaning, preferably in the fall, should keep your gutters clean and clear. If your property has many trees, a second cleaning may be needed, and a professional can help you determine the best schedule for you. The good news is GreyStone Property Management has qualified professionals in our network, ready to take care of this important home maintenance task. Contact us to find out how we can help.