Gutter Cleaning

In order to prevent deterioration and prevent water damage, gutters need to be kept clean.  When they accumulate debris, such as leaves, they cannot function as they should.  Water will always find a way to flow, and if the gutter is blocked, then it will find a way out on its own.  This can mean it flows over the gutter onto the roof where it can damage shingles or cause intrusion into cracks.  The fascia board behind the gutter will rot, water will run back to the house walls and into home, causing damage.

Moisture in walls is never good, as it can lead to mold and damage to the structural integrity.  In addition to water flowing where you may not want it, dirty gutters can cause damage to the gutter system itself as well as your roof.  The weight of rainwater can cause the gutter to sag and rip, causing damage to your roof. 

Your home is most likely your biggest investment.  The whole purpose of gutters is help maintain the structural integrity of it.  When working correctly, a good gutter system installation will move water away from your home where it can cause damage.    Here in Florida we deal with hurricanes and intense rainfall every year.  Because of this, it is necessary to control how that water flows on your property wherever possible.  By directing it away from your house, water does not have a chance to get into your foundation  and cause very big, expensive issues over time.  Some might thing that the Florida sandy soil means that gutters are not necessary here.  And while codes don’t always require them, any home here can benefit from them.  The soil does absorb moisture faster than others due to the high sand content, but it also erodes faster.  Some areas in Florida receive as much as 54 inches of rain – and that is a LOT of water to move!  

So how can you tell if it is time to get your gutters cleaned? 

• If you notice leaves and other debris visible in your gutters.
• Plant growth in the gutter  (a sign that you are WAY overdue for a cleaning, since there is likely a layer of debris forming a bed and a seed has had time to sprout.)
• Gutter sagging (may indicate repair or replacement might be necessary)
• Staining and Mildew – Any sign of this could mean there is standing water in the system.  Call today to make sure any potential damage to the fascia, shingles, or home foundation is corrected as quickly as possible.
• Pests such as squirrels, mice, frogs and other critters can make your gutter their home.  If you notice any doing this, call Top 904 Gutters!