Many homeowners tend to neglect gutters around their house or building, believing it isn’t that important so they may as well save some money. And almost all of them think that it will be enough if they simply clear the leaves out of them from time to time.
However, proper maintenance of gutters is so much more than that. And the consequences that can be caused by improper maintenance can be quite serious. Problems with gutters can easily get by undetected by somebody who isn’t a professional, causing significant damage to the whole house in the end.
Common causes of gutters clogging
Let’s take a quick look at the most frequent causes of clogged gutters:
– debris – leaves, and dirt get piled up over time, especially in winter or if there are trees nearby
– snow and ice – too much of it around the roof can clog the gutters and vents
– bird nests – smaller types of birds tend to make their nests in vents and gutters
– dead animals – rodents and birds can get trapped in the gutters or vents and die there
Of course, there are rarer cases when a random object ends up in your gutter, but you can never be too careful.
Why shouldn’t you do it?
Well, first of all, you probably don’t have the proper tools to perform maintenance properly. If you need gutters to be replaced, sized or attached, professionals will have the tools needed. It would be ridiculous for you to buy the necessary equipment for something you’ll do once in a couple of years. Secondly, professionals deal with gutters every day, meaning they will see a potential problem instantly and they will also make sure gutters are firmly sealed. On the other hand, you will probably realize that you’re simply not up for it all when you’ve already wasted a significant amount of time trying to DIY. Last but not least – safety before everything else! In case gutters need to be replaced, it’s better not to expose yourself to any risk because you’re not accustomed to doing this type of work while standing on ladders.
When to call a professional
Even though your roof looks perfectly fine from the outside, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any clogs or damages on it or in the gutters. Problems like loose flashing or a rusting sheet could be a sign that there is something more serious underneath. You may also see ponding, which is a build-up of water over time on your roof. It can easily cause mold in your home, leaks and, in certain cases, also weaken the support beams. Another troubling sign is rust spots on the roof. Maybe your roof material is modern, meaning it is supposed to prevent rusting but it can still happen if there are untreated issues.
There can also be gaps in the flashing, which can reduce the protection of your roof. It often happens after heavy rains and winds. These gaps can slowly become bigger in time, so it’s necessary to call a professional from time to time to make sure there aren’t any. Even the slightest sign of a potential problem should be enough for you to contact a professional. In Australia, especially in Perth, homeowners keep these problems in mind so experts for gutter replacement in Perth are contacted very often to deal with them.
What can happen if you fail to call an expert
It’s very unlikely you will manage to deal with the problem successfully and completely on your own. It may seem fine to you at the beginning, but you can’t really be sure you’ve done the job well. Only later on will you find out that you weren’t thorough enough. By then, you will probably have one of the following problems:
– leaks – maybe a little leak on the ceiling seems benign, but it’s far from that. It’s a sign of a leaking roof and it won’t go away on its own but will slowly grow while more water is reaching your ceiling.
– mold – clogged gutters and also wet insulation will grow mold in time. Once mold spreads, it won’t be cheap to get rid of it. What’s more, some types of mold are damaging to people’s health if you don’t react timely.
– animals and pests – damaged gutters can cause holes, as well as poor roof maintenance. This allows insects to enter your home but also larger animals, such as mice, rats, and possum, through the ceiling.
Final comment
Gutters may seem like a small element of your home but don’t be fooled – they are an important factor in keeping your home safe and protected from the outside hazards. That’s why you should take gutter maintenance seriously. Don’t try to DIY here – the safest and most effective option is to simply leave it to a professional. You will sleep better!
