Seasonal roof maintenance can be difficult and takes a lot of time if you’re doing it yourself. Having to do it in the summer heat also doesn’t make it any more appealing. Despite this, it still needs to get done as neglecting it can result in severe damage to your home.
Quality gutters that have been properly installed and maintained can easily last up to 20 years. However, excessive rain and exposure to the Australian climate can mean that locals need to invest in the gutter replacement Melbourne locals turn to every year.
How Regularly Should Gutters be Cleaned?
It’s not uncommon for people to believe that gutter cleaning should happen every season or in some cases, only once a year. Others believe that the amount of rain you get is the determining factor. Roofing experts, on the other hand, suggest cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year, no matter where you live.
Always clean your gutters before the start of the rainy season and then again as the next season starts. Homes that have older gutters, or those that have excessive leaf fall from tall trees around the roof may benefit from more frequent cleaning.
Keep in mind that keeping your gutters clean and well maintained will reduce the likelihood of blockages that can damage gutters. You can also consider adding gutter guards to your roof to minimise the amount of leaves that get stuck in there.
Clean your gutter by removing leaves and twigs and any other material that may have accumulated there. You can also opt to use a power washer to ensure that everything gets rinsed out of the downpipes. Alternatively, speak to your local roofer about routine cleaning and inspections. You roof team will then keep your roof in tip-top shape, even when you don’t feel like it.
Clean Gutters Reduce Potential Repairs
You may think that your gutters don’t need constant cleaning because they look fine from the ground. It’s essential to remember that you may not see all the signs from a blocked drain by simply looking up at it.
You also won’t see any minor damages that have the potential of becoming bigger problems. It’s with this in mind that our roofing experts have compiled a list of the top reasons that highlight why gutter cleaning and maintenance is essential.
- Reduces Risk of Water Damage
The number one reason to make gutter maintenance a top priority is the high risk of causing water damage to the foundation and interior of your home. During the rainfall seasons, gutters can easily become blocked by falling leaves, twigs, and other organic material that blows onto the roof. These blockages often extend to the downpipes as well.
Water that pools on the roof will eventually seep into the inside of your roof and cause water damage in the inside of your home. Stains on your walls and ceilings are a clear indication that this may already be happening.
- Minimises Foundation Issues
When water can’t run down the gutters and downpipes it ends up running down the walls which in turn can see it pooling around your foundation. Constant exposure to water will increase the likelihood of cracks in the home’s foundation.
Aside from roof repairs, structural or foundation repairs are the next most costly repairs you may be faced with. You can check the foundations around your home after every rainfall to see if the water dries up. If all the rain has dried up, but your foundation still seems wet and muddy, it may be time to call your roofer for a gutter assessment.
- Reduces Mould and Mildew From Forming
Mould isn’t only something that develops in your bathroom when there’s no ventilation. When moisture is trapped in blocked gutters or downpipes, they create an ideal breeding ground for mould spores.
Since mould spores can quickly spread to other parts of your home, it will only be a matter of time before the inside and exterior of your home becomes contaminated. These can be identified as small black spores that look like dots. It’s essential to point out that these spores can cause significant health issues and can be difficult to get rid of. This makes it crucial to avoid them in the first place.
- Keeps Household Pests From Moving In
Blocked gutters are not only a risk for water damage and mould but can also create nesting grounds for household pests. Rats, mice, and birds then have easy access to getting into your roof. When this happens, they can eat through or damage the insulation and move into the rest of your home. Smaller insects such as cockroaches and ants who live on the roof can also get into your home through cracks and crevices in the roof or surrounding walls.
Final Thoughts
Gutter cleaning is one of the key ways to prevent the damaging effects of water damage. Experts recommend checking your gutters at least twice a year to ensure that they’re clean and damage free. Speak to your roofer about the best possible solutions to minimise your seasonal cleaning.
