Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cleaning Gutters - Your Favorite Chore? Yeah Right

Gutter cleaning- Two words that most people would rather not hear. Even though it is an easy task. It requires that you put yourself in dangerous situations. With that in mind, however it is a job that should not be neglected.

Many people put off cleaning out the gutters, which in the long run can cost thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Gutter maintenance and cleaning needs to be done at least twice per year in the fall after the leaves are down. and in the spring when the tree pods have all fallen from the trees. If you neglect doing this job serious damage to your house can result in the form of damaged fascia, basement water leakage, and even collapsed gutters.

As gutters fill with leaves and debris, they will collect water and bsck up diring rain and snow melt. Also when water and debris collects it adds more weight that will over time cause the gutters to losen and possibly fall off tho house. gutters clogged with leaves and debris can cause water to contact the fascia for long periods of time causing the wood to rot. During winter clogged gutters can accumulate ice and snow which can result in ice damming which can damage the shingles allowing water to get in and damage the interior of your house. They can also allow water to gather around the foundation of the house causing basement flooding and weakening of the foundation of the house.

Gutter cleaning, especially on homes with high roofs is not for the faint of heart and can be treacherous. Quite a few people suffer injury each year trying to clean gutters. For this reason alone it is highly advised that you hire a company that specializes in cleaning out your gutters as opposed to completing this task yourself.

Another option is to install gutter covers which are designed to block leaves and debris from clogging the gutters before it becomes a problem. These gutter covers can be pricey but will pay for themselves in a few years especially when you figure in the medical bills that can result from a fall. There a several types of gutter covers available from inexpenive screen systems to a hood system that separates leaves and debris from the water befor it enters the gutter.

Cleaning your gutters is a critical chore to accomplish on your regular maintenace list. Remember it can be quite dangerous and there are ways to avoid doing it yourself by either hiring a professional or installing gutter guards.

For more information on cleaning your gutters visit http://www.guaranteedgutters.net

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