Gutters are one of those things that nobody really thinks about when it comes to the outside of their home, but they're really really important to preventing water damage from occurring. Keeping your gutters clean doesn't only extend the life of your roof, but it prevents all sorts of issues like mold, bugs, and even structural damage to your home from occurring. Matlock Roofing & Construction, a licensed gutter & roofing contractor, highly emphasizes the need for clean and functioning gutters.

The Risks of Forgetting Your Gutters

Water Damage: Clogged gutters with debris obstruct the natural water flow of rain, causing water to spill over and seep into your house foundation. Over time, it can create cracks in the foundation, weakening your house's framework and costing a lot to fix.

Mold and Mildew: Standing water in clogged gutters is the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Not only do these breakdown fungi create unsightly stains, but they are also toxic to health, especially for people with respiratory ailments.

Pest Problems: When gutters are clogged, they become a pest haven for mosquitoes, ants, and rodents. All that dirt and standing water makes it really cozy for these unwelcome guests, which can lead to the transmission of diseases and more damage to your property.

Basement Flooding: Excess rainwater will collect around the base of your home and infiltrate your basement. Basement flooding will cause severe damage to furniture, appliances, and other belongings.

Roof Damage: Clogged gutters allow excess water to damage your roof by entering under shingles and causing them to lift or rot. This compromises the functioning of your roof and can result in costly repairs or a full roof replacement.

Understanding What Typically Stoppers Gutters

Figuring out why gutters get clogged is the first thing you gotta do to stop it from happening. Check out these usual suspects:

Leaf Piling: Autumn leaves are a primary cause of clogged gutters. Leaves can accumulate if your gutters are not covered or cleaned, forming a thick layer that prevents water from flowing.

So you can understand how some of those pine needles, branches, and the like can fill up your gutters? When there are storms or gusts of winds, they get blown onto the roof.

Roof Shingle Granules: Roofs shed granules from asphalt shingles as they age, and these granules can fill gutters and contribute to clogging them.

Animal Droppings and Nests: Gutters become a warm place of nesting for birds, squirrels, and other small animals. Nesting debris and droppings form clogs and gutter damage.

Moss and Algae Growth: Moss and algae may grow on the surface of the roof and gutters where they are shaded and wet, blocking the passage of water and causing blockages.

Maintaining Gutters: A Step-by-Step Guide

It is essential for every homeowner to understand how to clean gutters effectively. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your gutters effectively:

Safety First: Gather safety gear like a stable ladder, safety glasses, gloves, and a scoop or trowel for cleanup. Have someone assist you to lend a hand or stabilize the ladder.

First, take out the heavy trash like leaves, twigs, and branches from the gutters with a trowel or scoop. Just toss all that garbage into a bucket or tarp below so it's easy to clean up later.

Flush the Gutters: After removing bulk debris, hose through dirt and fine debris remaining in gutters with a garden hose. Start from the opposite side from the downspout so that clogs along the path are removed.

Inspect Downspouts: Also, don't forget to inspect and have downspouts cleaned. Feed a plumbing snake or use a high-pressure nozzle on your garden hose to loosen any clogs that may be preventing water from flowing freely.

Trim Surrounding Trees: To minimize debris accumulation in your gutters, regularly trim overhanging branches. This will prevent leaves and twigs from falling directly into the gutters during heavy winds or storms.

Why choose Matlock Roofing & Construction?

Being one of the leading roofing companies and skylight installation companies in Mississippi, Matlock Roofing & Construction provides superior gutter cleaning and maintenance. Our professional crew is well-versed in the complexity of roofing systems and ensures your gutters run at their best throughout the year. We pride ourselves on providing excellent workmanship and first-rate customer service.

Regardless of whether you require regular gutter cleaning or more in-depth roofing work, our roofers are here to assist you. We offer our services to towns such as Sumrall, Petal, roofing company in Purvis, and Hattiesburg, MS. Keep your home safe from water damage and prolong its lifespan by having a gutter maintenance service done by us today. Contact us now at 601-299-4219 or visit https://matlockconstruction.com/ for further information.