Cleaned your gutters lately? Here are 5 key signs it's been too long

‘Gutter cleaning near me’. Probably not something you regularly type into a search engine, but this article might just change that. Gutter cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance you simply can’t ignore. Gutters don’t often get much consideration from homeowners but they play a crucial part in keeping your home protected from the UK weather. 

I get it, it’s not the most thrilling topic and not something that often comes up during catch ups with friends. But here’s why it’s more important than you might think.

Your gutters are there to move rainfall away from your home as quickly and efficiently as possible. Without them, rain water would fall off your roof and down your walls. It’s most likely your walls are made of brick, and being porous they will absorb this rain water leading to damp in your home. If left too long you could end up with serious structural problems. 

For the majority of homes, an annual clean is more than sufficient to keep these problems at bay. We find that a good time to do this is when the seasons start to change, particularly between autumn and winter when the trees have lost their leaves and nestled themselves nicely into your gutters. ‘Gutter cleaning near me’ search’s spike significantly during this period and it’s no surprise why when you see the amount of leaves in our front gardens, drives and pavements in the colder months.

It’s also possible your home may benefit from 2 cleans a year, particularly if you’re fortunate enough to live on large tree lined streets where branches regularly fall and moss build up on you roof is much higher due to the combination of increased moisture and shade. 

If you spot any of the following 5 signs below you should get your gutters cleaned as soon as possible…

1. Overflowing 

Now this might seem like an obvious one, but if water is overflowing the edge of your gutters it’s clear that there’s a blockage and your gutters need cleaning. It may only start out as a trickle, but leave this unconventional water feature as it is and it can cause serious damage to your home including mould, leaking roofs and damp. All potentially huge structural problems that will cost thousands to fix. 

2. Signs of Staining on your walls

While a small trickle overflowing your gutters might be hard to spot, staining below the gutters or the smell of damp are often noticed sooner. This is where you need to act fast and get your gutters cleaned before any longer term damage is caused. 

3. Plant growth

Time for gutter cleaning if you can see any plants poking over your gutters or down pipes. Plants can only thrive if there is enough soil and nutrients, meaning this organic matter will be blocking the efficient flow of water in your gutters. 

4. Animals and pests by the roof 

If you see or hear an increase in animals by the roof, it’s often a great sign you need to clean your gutters. Squirrels, birds, cats and if left too long rodents will be attracted to the rotting matter in your gutters and potentially find a way into your home especially in the colder months.

5. Leaking roof

Now this is when you’ve certainly left your gutter clean for too long. If your gutters are blocked there is only so many places rainfall can go. One of those places is back onto your roof and water is likely to pool in one spot and eventually leak into your home. This can lead to significant repair costs, 10x more than a routine gutter cleaning service. 

You’re now equipped with the knowledge to spot problems and action immediately if any of the above arise. But the best approach is prevention rather than cure, so book in your next clean before the mad rush googling ‘gutter cleaning near me’ comes around again. 

If you want to see the current condition of your gutters, I will show you how to create a DIY extendable gutter cleaning pole to inspect your own gutters from the safety of the ground in my next blog.

Alternatively, book an appointment with us to get a gutter and roof survey completed for only £15. You’ll get pictures and a video of the current condition of your gutter and roof to help you make a decision on cleaning frequency.