Why Regular Keller Gutter Cleaning Is So Critically Important

Are you a little skeptical that Keller gutter cleaning service can really be described as “critically” important? That is understandable. It's nice to have rainwater redirected so it isn't dripping off the sides of your roof, but keeping those little troughs nailed to the edge of your roof clean and in good condition is certainly not a critical matter, right?

Actually, gutter cleaning is crucial to keeping your house protected against severe moisture damage that ranges from a leaky roof to a cracked foundation, and everything in between. You probably aren't exactly excited at the thought of climbing up on a wobbly ladder to scoop handfuls of gross, rotting muck out of your gutters, and that's okay — your local handyman can take care of it for you with Keller gutter cleaning service!

If you notice signs that your home or commercial business really needs gutter cleaning service, rely on the experienced Keller handyman team at Mr. Handyman of Keller, Roanoke and Alliance. But how do you know when you need Keller gutter cleaning service — and how often should you get it? What happens if you just... don't? We have the answers to all those questions and more below, so you can make an informed decision about the care of your property.

Why Keller Gutter Cleaning Service Really Is Worth It:

Those inconspicuous little troughs on your roofline have a significant effect on the protection of your building. That system collects all the rainwater that falls on your roof and channels it safely into downspouts, where it can be disposed of away from the house. You may be saying “so what?” right now, but we are actually talking about a surprising amount of water.

Let's do the math: just one inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water. Keller, TX, gets an average annual rainfall of 38.6 inches, just a hair over the national average of 38.1 inches. That means around 23,932 gallons of water fall on your roof every year, or much more if you have a larger roof. For comparison, an average bathtub holds around 40 gallons, so that is about 600 bathtubs full of water falling on your roof!

Your roof is designed to withstand those 23,932 gallons of water (to a point) — but the rest of your house is not. That is why you have those seemingly insignificant troughs on your eaves. If they aren't installed, or they are, but they are packed full of dirt, dead leaves, animal nests, and other debris, all that water comes into contact with parts of your house that aren't meant to be drenched on a regular basis, such as window and door frames, siding, and pretty much everything else within range — and you end up locked in a battle with the homeowner's worst enemy, water damage. That’s why Keller gutter cleaning service is so important.

What Happens If You Never Get Gutter Cleaning Service?

Okay, we have made some vaguely ominous statements about the damage that can be caused by avoiding Keller gutter cleaning, so you may be wondering what exactly the problem is. Here are some of the unpleasant, costly, damaging issues that can and will happen to your house without regular Keller gutter cleaning and repairs.

Water Damage

This is the big one. Water damage is a huge problem for homeowners and commercial property owners, because if it is neglected for too long it can cause problems such as wood rot that affect the structural stability of the entire building. It can also create serious health hazards, along with just making your home a lot less comfortable and forcing you to pay more on your utility bill.

Here are some potential water damage problems that result from a lack of Keller gutter cleaning:

• If the troughs are too full to accept more water, it can pool on the roof and seep through shingles, rotting support beams underneath and drip into your attic space.
• Strong winds can blow standing water out of troughs and straight into soffit vents, where it encourages wood rot growth inside your roof structure and can even cause it to collapse. It can also create ice dams that block off soffit vents, preventing your attic from venting out excess heat and humidity.
• Constant exposure to moisture can stain, warp, and damage your siding, allowing excess water to get inside the walls and cause mildew and wood rot to fester.
• Window and door frames are often made of wood, which is susceptible to rotting when it is exposed to excessive water. The constant soaking from dripping rainwater causes them to crumble apart, letting moisture and air drafts into the walls. That is why overflowing gutters are a big causeof problems in Keller that require exterior trim repair.
• When water pools in the soil around your foundation posts or slab, it eats away at concrete and can cause it to crack. This effect is much worse in winter because the groundwater freezes and expands, cracking the concrete and letting moisture seep inside, where it increases the damage from the inside out.
• Excessive water can also cause landscape erosion and kill trees, bushes, and other plants. While water is good for plants, too much of that good thing is actually a bad thing. The constant deluge of water washes away topsoil, sickens and kills plants, and destroys any landscaping within a few feet of the house.
• Dripping or pouring water also erodes concrete, stone, or brick walkways and driveways, causing them to become pitted, cracked, and uneven.

Increased Energy Costs

Keller gutter cleaning service can obviously prevent a lot of serious damage, so it saves you money by helping you avoid a costly repair bill — and anyone who has ever had the misfortune to deal with water damage mitigation will tell you it is well worth avoiding. But did you know gutter cleaning can also save you money on your energy bill?

When your siding, window frames, door jambs, roof, and other parts of your home degrade due to excess moisture, they let in air drafts that change the temperature inside your property and make it less energy efficient. That means your heating and cooling systems have to work much harder and use more energy to keep your building at the temperature you have set on the thermostat. Since your HVAC is probably already the biggest expense on your utility bill, that extra energy usage can really take a big bite out of your bank account. By getting routine Keller gutter cleaning service and completing regular repairs, you can prevent those problems that lead to higher bills.

Rodent and Insect Infestations

Rats, squirrels, mice, cockroaches, ants, termites, and other unwelcome pests in Keller spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get inside your cozy, comfortable home. Deteriorated siding, soffits, fascia boards, and window frames that have been damaged by dripping water provide a perfect opportunity for invasion. Once one of them finds a way in, they will bring dozens of their nasty little friends along with them.

How Do You Know If You Need Keller Gutter Cleaning Service?

It is good to be aware of the signs that your property needs professional Keller gutter cleaning service because then you can notice what is going on and get the cleaning done before it causes damage to your house or to the troughs themselves.

Overflowing Water

This is the most common and blatant Keller gutter cleaning warning sign. If there is water spilling over the edge of the troughs when it rains, it means there is a clog that is preventing it from moving freely through the rainwater system and into the downspouts.

Visible Plant Growth

It helps to check your gutters up close by climbing up on a ladder, but if it has been a while since the last cleaning, you may be able to see plants growing in the troughs while you are still on the ground. When they get packed full of dirt and rotting dead leaves, it creates the perfect condition for weeds to take root.

Bird, Rodent, and Insect Activity

Do you see birds frequently flying to and from your roof? Have you spotted signs of rodent and insect activity near the roofline? Rodents and insects such as wasps will sometimes create nests along your roofline drainage, as wild birds. While we may be a bit more sympathetic toward the birds, it's not a good place for them to nest because it will, of course, become flooded the next time there is a big rainfall. Animal nests should be removed, and a professional gutter cleaning service will help to discourage them from returning.

Stains on Siding

If your siding is showing marks such as streaks of rust or black stripes, that is an early warning sign that the siding (and probably all the other parts of your exterior as well) are being affected by overflowing rain troughs. If you notice streaks of discoloration on your siding, you should schedule an appointment for a gutter cleaning service as soon as possible.

Sagging or Pulling Away from Roofline

You may notice that your roof’s drainage is sagging or bowed, or that it is separating from the eaves and inching away from the roof. This is a sure sign that they are full of heavy debris or standing water and the constant weight is too much. Those systems are usually attached to your fascia boards, so when they rip apart, it damages both your gutter system and your fascia.

Loose, Broken, or Missing Hangers

This isn't exactly a sign that you need Keller gutter cleaning, so much as repair. However, damage to gutters is usually caused by neglect and a lack of maintenance, so we are including it anyway.

The hangers are the small pieces that attach to the fascia and support the troughs. If the hangers are loose, broken, or missing, they need to be replaced before you start having issues with sagging and bowing.

How Many Times Per Year Should You Get Keller Gutter Cleaning Service?

That really depends on factors like how many trees and other large plants are near your house because dead leaves are probably the number one thing that causes clogs. Some local households may be able to get away with annual Keller gutter cleaning, but twice per year is a better option for regular maintenance, so you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your house is protected against water damage.

We recommend getting Keller gutter cleaning in the fall, so they are clear for the winter and you don't experience issues such as ice dams and cracking foundations, and in the spring, to clear out all the dirt and debris that built up over the winter and prepare for summer.

Should I Get Gutter Guards Installed?

If you find your gutters are filling up really fast with dead leaves, plant growth, and so on, gutter guard installation is a good idea. There are a number of types and brands, but they all function basically the same way, by covering the top of the trough so it is more difficult for it to get clogged by debris. Our Keller gutter cleaning experts can get the shields installed for you — and take care of any repairs or weak points while we are up on the ladder.

Need Keller Gutter Cleaning Services? We’re Your Local Gutter Cleaning Experts!

Whether you are in Keller or a nearby community such as Roanoke or Trophy Club, you can always rely on Mr. Handyman of Keller, Roanoke, and Alliance for excellent workmanship and a firm commitment to quality service.

Give us a call today to request a service appointment for Keller gutter cleaning, or to find out more about local home maintenance services.