Only a Nutter Keeps a Cluttered Gutter!
You worked hard to afford your home, but do you really treat it in a deserving fashion? You may think you are taking good care of your home by polishing your granite countertops and waxing your hardwoods, but what about your gutters? Do you even have gutters installed? Every year top water damage companies are called to perform emergency restoration services on roof leaks and have even been known to replace rotted portions of roof or crawl space because water pooled on the roof and ran down to the soil by the home due to a clogged up gutter, or no gutter at all.
Gutters Keep your Home’s Foundation Safe
In addition to protecting your roof, a cleaned-out gutter that is properly installed can save your basement from becoming a local swimming hole and it can safeguard your foundation. ‘U.S. News World and Report Money’ reports that one sure way on how to protect your foundation requires one to keep their gutters free from debris. The news source reports that, “If the gutters aren’t working properly, the water has to go somewhere, and gravity demands that it goes down. While flooding gutters can lead to water problems into other rooms of your home, what often happens is that the rain plunges onto the ground around the house”. Cleaning out your gutters may be a royal pain, but if your foundation soaks up water it can cause your home to shift to one side and even collapse, so spending an hour or two on the ladder to remove the leaves and sludge is well worth it!
Gutters Help Prevent Black Mold Growth
If rain water pools into your basement, crawl space or foundation, there is a very good chance you may be facing a mold problem. All mold removal professionals have likely encountered black spores that originated from rain water not having anywhere to go, as the gutters were either filled with twigs and leaves, or the homeowner never bothered to have gutters installed. Mold thrives in humid, damp locations, and when rain water enters the ground around your home’s foundation, the conditions are ideal. Once mold forms in the foundation it can spread like a cancer moving up into your floors and into your walls. Exposure to mold, especially in children, the elderly, and people who already have respiratory problems, can cause severe illnesses. In some cases deaths have even been reported due to prolonged exposure to household mold.
How to Safely Clean Your Gutters
Anytime you have to climb a ladder there is always the risk of falling, so it is important to take extra safety precautions as we don’t live in a utopia free from ladder accidents and broken bones. Make sure your ladder is easily adjustable and attaches to the roof. You should also have another person down below holding the ladder steady as a backup precaution. You will want to scoop out the debris using a tool or your hands—just be sure to wear gloves so you don’t get poked by a sharp stick! Then use a power washer or pressure controlled garden hose to blast out your gutters clearing them of any obstacles.
Did I Stutter? Clean Out Your Gutter!
Cleaning your gutters is time consuming, involves continuously going up and down a ladder, and it is a messy job. However, being exposed to mold or having your foundation rot is far worse. Don’t be a nutter: protect your home and family by cleaning out your gutters and take pride in a job well done.
