HOW BAD WEATHER CAN RUIN YOUR EAVESTROUGHS, AND WHY YOU SHOULD CLEAN THEM
Eavestroughs may look rather utilitarian and unimportant, but they actually play a critical role in protecting your home from water damage. This is due to the mechanism which directs rainwater away from the foundation of your home. If too much water is concentrated in this area, it can lead to flooding and erosion, which can decimate your home’s value and cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Further, eavestroughs also preserve the integrity of your roof, preventing issues from occurring at the top, and working their way down through the house. Harsh weather is a constant threat that can cause a lot of damage, particularly if eavestroughs are left unchecked. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, they cease to function as intended, which is where the real problems start.
HEAVY RAIN
Excessive rainfall can place a significant strain on your eavestroughs, which are designed to redirect it away from your home so that it doesn’t affect the roof and foundation. Normally, eavestroughs can tackle a deluge of water without breaking a sweat, but they cease to function when clogged with debris such as leaves, twigs, and other organic matter. This material will impede the flow of water, which causes it to build up and overflow. If you notice this on your own eavestroughs, you definitely have a buildup of material which needs to be unclogged, right away.
STRONG WIND
Most people don’t realize how wind can affect an eavestrough, but it’s definitely a factor to watch out for. Strong winds can cause eavestroughs to become detached from the house, especially if they are already weak, or have faulty brackets. The last thing anyone wants is for an eavestrough to come apart from the house and fall over, which involves a time-consuming and costly repair. Make sure your eavestroughs are well-secured, and can handle strong winds, otherwise you may be faced with structural damages when they come apart from the house.
SNOW AND ICE
Canadian winters are renowned for being harsh, and eavestroughs take quite a beating when things get snowy outside. In fact, snow and ice accumulation in eavestroughs are potentially more hazardous than rainfall throughout the year. A buildup of either can weigh them down, causing them to detach from the house, or physically expand and crack. Without proper water flow, the damages to your house can be excessive. Even if no damages occur, a simple buildup of ice or snow can block runoff, particularly when things get warmer and the snow starts to melt.
EXTREME HEAT
Though far less likely a scenario than the ones mentioned above, the risk of extreme heat can cause eavestroughs to expand and contract, leading to potential cracking and damage. This tends to occur with older eavestroughs that have already suffered wear and tear, so make sure to keep an eye on their structural integrity to make sure everything’s in proper working order.
HOW TO MAINTAIN PROPER EAVESTROUGH MAINTENANCE
Eavestroughs require a bit of time and dedication to keep clean, but the small investment is well worth the return. By keeping tabs on their condition, you can avoid all of the pitfalls and issues mentioned above. It starts with regular cleaning, which can help prevent clogging and ensure that water is directed away from your home effectively. This should be done at least twice a year – perhaps more – depending on where you live, as well as the weather and other environmental factors. For instance, if you live in a forested area, the chances of you needing to clean your eavestroughs more often go up, as opposed to a clearcut city neighborhood.
Don’t just clean your eavestroughs, either. Make sure they are inspected for damage so that you can take a proactive approach to their maintenance. Failure to nip potential problems in the bud can lead to catastrophic damages later on, so if an eavestrough looks damaged, cracked or worn out, take the opportunity to have it replaced immediately. Keep in mind that certain cracks or leaks can be sealed to prevent further damage, provided they are not excessive.
If your eavestroughs are not securely attached to your home, it is important to have them reinforced to prevent detachment during strong winds. That means inspecting all bracketing and connections to make sure they’re sturdy. If your eavestrough feels loose, that may be a sign of an issue. You’ll want to avoid strong winds being able to capture the eavestrough and yank it away from the side of the house.
Another handy tip involves installing gutter guards, which can help prevent debris from clogging your eavestroughs, thereby reducing the risk of overflow and damage during heavy rainfall. Think of it as a screen to keep out the buildup of debris so that only water can flow through the eavestrough.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
Depending on your level of experience and physicality, cleaning eavestroughs may be simple, or incredibly difficult. If you’re the slightest bit unsure, make sure to hire a professional to do the job for you. Toronto Window Cleaners makes eavestrough cleaning one of our most recommended services, and for good reason. We know the value of clean eavestroughs when it comes to maintaining your property.
In addition to cleaning your windows to a sparkling shine, we’ll also examine your eavestroughs and perform any necessary maintenance on them, so you don’t have to. The result is peace of mind and reassurance that your eavestroughs will tackle any of Canada’s four seasons, and emerge unscathed. That’s good for you, but more importantly, the integrity of your home!