We at Toronto Window Cleaners understand the need to keep an eye on other key areas of your home besides your windows – particularly your eavestroughs/gutters. These devices do more than just redirect water away from your home. They actively protect your property in ways many people aren’t fully aware of, and keeping them clean is vital for avoiding costly repairs or issues to the roof, walls, flooring, or the foundation.

For that reason, we offer eavestrough/gutter cleaning as a professional service, because we understand just how necessary it is to keep them clean. The hard part for many property owners is knowing exactly when to clean their gutters. For many, it’s an “out of sight, out of mind” scenario, which is why it’s important to get in the habit of checking your gutters so that you can clean them yourself, or hire the professionals to handle the job for you.

HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

There is some confusion as to the required frequency of when to clean gutters, but the standard minimum is once a year. However, this depends largely on your environment. If you live in an area with more tree cover and other factors that can contribute to greater buildup of debris and dirt, you may have to clean them twice or three times a year.

If you aren’t sure, it’s wise to hire a professional team to come out and evaluate your home and the surrounding environment to give you a proper estimate. It’s never a good idea to wait, since it will lead to more buildup of debris which can have disastrous consequences when the seasons inevitably shift. Even postponing an evaluation by a few weeks can lead to weather changes and seasonal events that can have an impact on the state of your gutters.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE PHYSICAL GUTTER

Sometimes, spotting a clogged gutter is as simple as looking at it with the naked eye. If the gutter or downspout appears to bulge outwards or sag near the roof, that probably means there’s a blockage of debris that needs to be cleaned out. The more buildup inside the gutter, the greater the pressure that causes it to expand or sag, leading to a potential crack. This can cause problems if water is not flowing in the direction it’s supposed to. 

CHECK FOR THE PRESENCE OF ANIMALS OR INSECTS

It’s not uncommon to see small animals taking up residence in your gutter, but their presence is definitely not to be tolerated. Animals will routinely build nests for themselves with various debris like dirt and vegetation, and that can mean only one thing – an inevitable clog. It may be possible that the animal in question is merely using the gutter as a method of transport, but that probably isn’t the case. Insects are another concern. The last thing any homeowner wants is for a colony of termites, ants or roaches to settle down in the gutter. Inspecting it to see if critters have taken up residence is a surefire way to know that it’s time for a cleanout. 

CHECK IF THE GUTTER IS OVERFLOWING

Blocked gutters mean that rainwater has nowhere to go, so the next time a major downpour occurs, go outside and keep an eye on what’s happening. If the gutter is gushing with an overflow of water, a clog is the most likely culprit. A clean and functioning gutter should always redirect water in an efficient manner, and if that’s not the case, it’s time to clean it out. Failure to do so means the gutter will either crack or collapse in short order, which can be a costly fix. 

CHECK FOR VEGETATION IN THE GUTTER

A buildup of dirt and water can sometimes provide the elements necessary for plant life to start growing inside of the gutter, and that shouldn’t be tolerated. If you notice vegetation growing out of the gutter, that means a significant blockage is in effect. This is especially common in neighborhoods with more tree coverage, which is why many homeowners add leaf guards to their gutters to keep them from falling in. 

CHECK FOR HOUSING LEAKS

If the roof or any other part of your home is leaking, it may be time to check the gutters. This is a potential nightmare scenario that needs to be rectified before the problem gets any worse. The more water bombarding your house, the weaker the wood and other materials will become, and leaks will certainly start to form. If you own a house with an attic, you should check it regularly to make sure no water is getting in. Besides the obvious damage done to drywall and flooring, it can also lead to the growth of mold which can become a health hazard.

CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR LAST GUTTER CLEANING?

One of the best ways to tell if it’s time to clean your gutters is to try and remember the date of your last cleaning. If you’re having trouble, then you’ve answered the question. Once again, most homeowners will need to clean their gutters at least once a year, so if it’s been longer than that, you’re way overdue. Make sure to keep tabs on your gutter cleaning schedule to make sure your house is fit and ready to handle anything the seasons and elements can throw at them.

HIRE THE PROFESSIONALS

Gutter cleaning can be difficult, time-consuming, and for some people, a bit dangerous, so why do it yourself? Toronto Window Cleaners has years of experience when it comes to cleaning out gutters, and we have all the equipment and training necessary to do the job quickly and safely. We’ll also maintain a predefined cleaning schedule that will remind you when it’s time for us to come out, so you don’t have to. The peace of mind you experience is well worth it!

Contact Toronto Window Cleaners today to schedule an examination. We’ll come to your house and identify the state of your gutters, and how often they’ll need to be cleaned.