Gutters play an important role in protecting the structural integrity of your home and keeping it safe from water damage. However, homeowners often neglect to get their gutters cleaned as they don’t know the right frequency of gutter cleaning.
While it’s best to get your gutters cleaned by experts at least twice a year, there are many factors that can affect this frequency. Here, we have discussed these factors in detail to give you an idea about the actual cleaning frequency for your gutters.
Factors Affecting the Gutter Cleaning Frequency
⇒ Gutter Capacity
Gutters come in different sizes and vary in length and depth. Generally, residential gutters are less wide and deep than those used for other purposes. For example, gutters in most homes are just 5 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep.
It leads to gutters getting clogged more often and needing frequent cleaning, which can be more than twice a year. To resolve the issue, install wider gutters in your home that are at least 6 inches wide and 3.75 inches deep to prevent frequent clogging.
⇒ Overhanging Trees
Homes surrounded by large, fully-grown trees are more at risk of gutter clogging than others. It’s because mature trees shed leaves frequently, sometimes even the branches and other debris.
Moreover, overhanging branches increase the risk of pests in your gutter. You’ll have to get your gutter cleaned more frequently if you want to keep your gutters clean with overhanging branches.
⇒ Gutter Guards
Installing gutter guards is a great way to maintain your gutters. These protective coverings reduce the entry of leaves and other debris into the gutters and prevent them from getting clogged.
However, gutters with guards still need to be cleaned, but not as frequently as the ones without the cover. So consider investing in a gutter guard for long-term gutter protection.
⇒ Location of Your Home
Your home’s location plays an important role in determining the cleaning frequency for your gutters. Homes in low-lying areas are at more risk of floods and other types of water damage, which puts the gutter at risk.
Moreover, clogged gutters can make your home even more susceptible to water damage, leading to more frequent cleaning.
⇒ Climate Of the Area
Another factor that greatly influences your gutter cleaning frequency is the climate and weather of the area you live. If your area experiences extreme weather conditions like frequent storms and rainfall, it increases the chances of your gutters getting damaged or clogged.
On the other hand, dry areas may not have these problems. But they may have their own issues. If you live in areas with severe weather, you may need to avoid cleaning your gutter, as it can lead to slips and falls.
Instead, you can contact our experts at Marino Cleaning Services. We have the required skills and experience to clean your gutters effectively and remove all the accumulated debris.
Conclusion
You should get your gutters cleaned at least twice a year on average. But factors like your gutter’s capacity, the trees surrounding it, and the location of your home play an important role in determining the actual cleaning frequency. Similarly, whether your gutter has covering and the climate of the area affects the cleaning frequency.