You’re all ready for winter, right? Your heat works, your blankets are out, you bought a new sweater…. what’s left? Did you rememebr to clean your rain gutters?
Gutters and downspouts are a key element in protecting your home from many forms of costly damage. Gutters will prevent your roof’s fascia boards from getting wet and rotting out. They also protect the paint and stucco on the sides of your house from unsightly water damage. Downspouts prevent water from pooling beside your foundation and seeping into your basement and foundation.
Leaves, branches, garbage, birds’ nests, etc can accumulate in your gutters, and dam up the flow of water. Water then overflows and causes the above mentioned problems to your home. It can also pool in the gutters and remain stagnant, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unpleasant sights and smells. This is why regular cleaning is necessary to keep your gutters working efficiently!
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts can either be done yourself, or you can hire a professional.
Besides being a dirty and time-consuming job, cleaning your rain gutters by yourself is also very dangerous. You will need to either get a ladder or do it from your roof. Falling can cause severe injury, even death. It’s always recommended to have someone with you to hold a ladder and help secure your safety. Another thing you’ll want to do is make sure you wear safety goggles when doing any kind of gutter and downspout cleaning. You’ll have a lot of flying debris and if you’re on a ladder, you are right at eye level. Don’t take unnecessary chances with your sight! Don’t forget the downspouts while cleaning the gutters. Sometimes people clear out the leaves from the gutters, but forget to make sure the downspouts are clear! The downspouts are what drain the water caught in the gutters out to the ground, so if they are clogged, water will backup into the gutters. It is recommended to flush water through them with a garden hose to insure that water flows freely.
The much safer and more convenient way to insure that your gutters are in proper working order, is to hire a professional. At Prestigious Raingutters, we have over 20 years experience in cleaning rain gutters in the Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. We can quickly and efficiently clean out your gutters for you and make sure everything is working the way it should. We will also make sure the gutters are properly sealed to prevent leaks, and secured to your home so that they won’t sag or fall.
Maintaining your gutter system helps prevent costly repairs and should not be overlooked. You’ll most likely be pleasantly surprised how affordable it is too! Call us for a free estimate.