Basic Facts About Gutter Maintenance

Your gutters protect your home and roof from water runoff, ice dams, and several other problems, but are you taking steps to ensure that you're protecting it from damage as well?  Even if your gutters have endured the fall season without being properly cleaned, that doesn't mean that they will last through the winter, as well.  In fact, the buildup of debris and snow can clog the gutters and cause permanent damage, causing you to pay for repairs or replacing them well before their time.

Here are a few tips on why it is important to maintain and clean your gutters:

Debris is one of the worst things that can damage your gutter system, particularly when they clog up so much that the water runoff from your roof builds up in the gutters, weighing them down even further.  The problem becomes worse when the water freezes and turns into ice dams.  With regular cleaning, most, if not all, of these problems can be prevented, and save wear and tear on your gutters and your roof.

Seasonal changes contribute to the majority of gutter issues with autumn being the greatest generator of clogs, what with the leaves and twigs falling into and clumping up inside the gutter.  In the winter, snow can also pile up on your roof and throughout your entire gutter system.  When this happens, the snow at the bottom can melt and refreeze, turning into a layer of destructive ice dams.

The gutters should be cleaned twice a year, at the beginning of fall and at the beginning of spring.  If you clean the gutters at the beginning of fall, the leaves will still be dry and easier to remove.  Additionally, when the precipitation occurs, the water will flow freely through the gutter and into the downspout ensuring little or no damage to the gutter.

If gutter cleaning has been neglected for way too long, or you have a particulary steep roof, we recommend you call in the professionals. The roofing experts at Precision Roofing Services not only recommend keeping your gutters clear of debris, but also having your roof inspected annually.  Visit our website to learn more, or to make an appointment:  www.precisionroofingmi.com.