Why Gutter Cleaning is Important
“Out of sight, out of mind” is generally not a good idea to apply to a home’s gutters. Just because they can’t be seen doesn’t mean they don’t have to get maintained!
Why Gutter Cleaning is Important
Many homeowners don’t realize how important gutter cleaning actually is, so it’s a good idea to remind your customers why they should schedule regular cleanings. Gutters control the flow of rainwater to protect a structure’s roof, walls, foundation, and surrounding landscape. Waiting until they are packed with debris or overflowing (or putting it off entirely) is a good way to wind up paying thousands of dollars in home repairs later. Water Damage: The obvious reason your customers should be getting their gutters regularly cleaned it to avoid water damage to the exterior and interior of their home. When gutters overflow, the water is not directed away from a home’s roof. Instead, it is allowed to run, drip, and pool wherever it wants which can lead to wood rotting, metal rusting, and other costly water damage. Pests: Wet, gunked up gutters are a great place for bugs, rodents, and mold to settle in. Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects have been known to make nests in dirty, undisturbed gutters and the last thing anyone wants is a thriving hive in their roof. If plants are allowed to grow in gutters, their root systems can also dig into the roof of a home.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
If a customer is on the fence about hiring you to do the job or doing it themselves, let them know that these are the reasons it is best left to the professionals:
- Gutter cleaning can be dangerous. Climbing a ladder or working on top of a roof can be extremely dangerous, especially for those who are inexperienced. Ladder safety is frequently taken for granted, so it’s important to remind your customers if their roof is higher than a single story, they should call a professional. A professional gutter cleaner knows what to look for to make the job as safe as possible, so they can prevent accidents before they happen.
- Gutters need to be regularly maintained. How often gutters need to be cleaned depends on where someone lives and how many trees are around the house, but generally they should be cleaned twice a year—once in fall when all the trees shed their leaves and once in the spring when pollen and other plan matter is flying around. In some climates, however, once every 4 months is necessary. Either way, the frequency of how often gutters need to be cleaned is usually what keeps people from doing it themselves, so make sure they call you instead!
- It’s a time-consuming job. Thorough gutter cleaning doesn’t just mean scooping gunk out of gutters; it means cleaning drainpipes, removing debris from the roof, and making sure gutters are securely connected to the house. These jobs, if done correctly, can often take hours, so it’s important to gently remind your customers that spending hours on a hot roof may seem appealing to save a few bucks, but usually isn’t worth it.
Gutter cleaning is a dirty job, but someone has to do it! Some homeowners would rather take the DIY approach, but hiring a professional gutter cleaner is the best way to ensure a home’s gutters get cleaned safely and properly.