Cleaning your home’s gutters is an essential part of home maintenance. If you think a few leaves and twigs in you gutter are harmless, think again. Clean gutters are the single most important key to avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Gutters perform one duty: controlling the water around you home. If debris keeps them from doing their job, then you can wind up with some serious problems.
Common Issue from Dirty Gutters
Leaking Basements
Clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Roof water overflows and accumulates around the foundation. If this happens, basement leaks may be moments away.
Cracked Foundations
Excess water against the foundation wall can weaken the footing and lead to cracks. This is particularly true in the colder months when built-up water at the foundation freezes and causes a condition known as “frost-heave” which can cause severe cracks to foundation walls.
Rotten Wood
Water backing up from clogged gutters will cause moisture damage to the wood fascia around the house. The rotted area will get worse quickly if the leak is not eliminated by cleaning the gutters.
Leaking Roofs
In winter, ice-dams can form on top of clogged gutters. Then snow builds up across the top of the gutter and freezes. During the next thaw, water running off the roof is blocked by the frozen snow and backs up into the house. This can lead to major wall and ceiling damage.
Slippery Sidewalks
Overflowing gutters can deposit water on walks and driveways where it can freeze and cause a slipping hazard. Avoid this problem by keeping gutters clean and the spouts extended away from any traffic areas.
Sagging Driveways
Misdirected and clogged gutter spouts often cause driveways and walks to sag and crack.
Washed-Out Landscaping
Any newly installed plants, grass or trees can be killed by excess water. Overflowing gutters can cause severe erosion and put an early end to young plantings.
Wood Destroying Insects
Bugs love moisture. Keeping the soil dry around the foundation perimeter can force bugs to go elsewhere for a tasty snack of dampened two-by-four.
Holencik Exteriors provides a wide range of services for residential and commercial gutters in the Lehigh Valley. We are available for professional gutter cleaning, gutter repair, and gutter installation, as well as gutter guards and several other home maintenance services. Our customers enjoy prompt, reliable service from the best-trained gutter mechanics in the industry. Contact us for one time gutter cleaning or regular maintenance. Our expert mechanics use the latest equipment and our proven gutter cleaning techniques to remove the debris that collects in your gutters. We also inspect the entire system for the correct pitch and look for damage at any point in the system. If you need your gutters replaced, we use only high-quality materials that are covered by a twenty-year warranty. Our workmanship is guaranteed. We will also inspect your roof and siding and let you know if there are any issues that need attention.