|
Cleaning your gutters is probably one of the least glamorous chores anyone will ever do, but regardless, it’s a job that must be done. Gutters are an essential part of your home that help to move water and debris away from your house to prevent mould and decay. If you suffer from a broken or clogged gutter, stagnant water can appear, attracting unwanted wildlife and causing water damage to your house. Both the inside and outside of your home can be affected, as water is allowed into your walls. As winter approaches, we’ve come up with reasons you should clean out and check your gutters before winter arrives. Get rid of insects Fallen autumn leaves will clog your gutters, leading to standing water that attracts unwanted insects, such as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are on the look-out for standing water in which to lay their eggs at this time of year. With these insects potentially carrying diseased such as West Nile Virus, we recommend that you ensure stagnant water can’t form in your gutters. Protect your home from water damage Water damage can really damage your home, causing mould and mildew, as well as severely weakening your home’s walls and foundations. By clearing out your gutters at the end of autumn, you can check your gutters for broken fasteners, corrosion, and separation between connections and where your gutters meet your fascia boards. Get a professional Whilst this isn’t essential, it’s a good idea to get a professional to inspect your gutters at this time of year. This way, you won’t have to step anywhere near a ladder if you don’t want to. A professional will be able to spot potential problems a lot better than you would. Water damage particularly, appears as a small problem, despite often being a far more insidious problem. Professionals will also be able to fix any faults far quicker and easier than you would. If they’re already at your property, you may not even have to wait to get your problems fixed. It’s better to be safe than sorry The best time to have your gutters inspected is towards the end of autumn, when the weather is still relatively mild, rather than winter, when icy conditions will make the task a lot more difficult to complete. By having your gutters inspected in the autumn, you can avoid having to call a professional with an emergency. When you’re sat at home in a dry warm home with your loved ones this winter, enjoying the holiday season, you’ll be glad you inspected and cleaned out your gutters in the autumn months. If you want your gutters inspected, cleaned or replaced in order to get ready for winter, contact us now for a quote, or call us on 0800 086 8312. |
