Cleaning your gutters is one of the most important projects on the to-do list, yet it’s too often overlooked.  Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until late into the fall season when the very last leaf falls before deciding to get it done.  This delay exposes those homes to potential damage; plus, it makes the job a lot more difficult to complete.  If done a couple times during the year, cleaning gutters is a relatively quick process.  Just once, or not at all, and it can become back breaking work and can result in thousands of dollars worth of additional trouble down the road.

All of that Water has to go Somewhere   The problem with clogged gutters is more than just those annoying waterfalls that pour off the roof on rainy days and the pretty icicles that hang around in the winter.  This excess water can wreak havoc on and compromise the integrity of your home’s structure.  The gutter system of your house is designed to move water down from the roof and away from the home and its foundation.  Water that gets dammed up in the gutters looks for and eventually finds the path of least resistance when it tries to drain; this often results in the water finding its way right into the walls and/or ceilings of your home.

Just as water does damage to your chimney, it can also cause a lot of problems if not properly routed off of your house.

Just as water does damage to your chimney, it can also cause a lot of problems if not properly routed off of your house.

So What’s the Big Deal?   Gutters that are filled to the brim with leaves, twigs, and other debris are supporting a lot of additional weight.  When it rains, that debris absorbs the water like a sponge and becomes even heavier; this can lead to them being completely pulled from your home.  Overflowing water from the gutters can also damage the paint and/or siding on your home.  Ice damming is another major issue with clogged gutters.  Blocked water can freeze when it backs up in the gutters, pushing up against the roof structure and working its way under the shingles destroying the wood, which can cause even more leaks.  Flooded basements and cracking foundations are other symptoms of clogged gutters.  If water isn’t drained away from your home and is allowed to pool around the foundation, it will expand when frozen and cause cracks which lead to floods in your basement or crawlspace.

Choosing a Professional to Clean your Gutters   At best, gutter cleaning is a tedious and disgusting task.  At worst, gutter cleaning can be scary and downright dangerous.  One slight misstep could have you headed to the hospital with a broken bone and bruised ego.  This is the main reason that leaving this task to the professionals is your best and safest decision.  Bear in mind, however, that not all services are created equally.  For best results, you’ll want to choose a reputable company that knows exactly what it’s doing.  Fire Safe is that company!

We know that gutter cleaning is about more than just making your gutters look nice.  It’s about making them function properly and increasing the value of your home.  Little maintenance jobs like these are all to often overlooked, simply because homeowners don’t realize how much of an impact they can have.  If you’ve never had your gutters cleaned or if it’s something you’ve taken care of yourself, then chances are you’re in serious need of a good, professional cleaning.  Let the professionals take care of this surprisingly complex job for you!  Contact us today to schedule your cleaning.