The rule of thumb is that rain gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year, but depending on the conditions, more cleaning sessions might be necessary. Also, it isn’t uncommon to delay this necessary but tiresome chore because nobody really likes cleaning gutters, to be honest!
Unfortunately, cleaning the rain gutter is more about what we need to do than what we really want. If you neglect it for too long, it might pose some serious problems. Clean gutters are important, so let us now look at the five most common signs showing that your rain gutters are in need of your attention.
Animals
Anything from rats, lizards, and mice to opossums, raccoons and even snakes could start living inside your rain gutter if you neglect it for too long. The accumulated and compressed debris makes for a nice and comfortable place for small animals to live in. If you start seeing too many of these wild animals running around way too often, it’s usually time to clean the gutters.
Birds
Most people like birds and they do not mind when they build nests on top of trees in their garden, but that’s not the only place where they like to nest. Rain gutters provide shelter; they do not sway during a storm and a lot of the nesting material that birds need are found right inside a clogged gutter.
Weed and Other Plants
If you see a lot of greenery growing out of your rain gutter, it’s obviously time for a thorough cleaning session. Seeds get blown inside the rain gutter all the time. The moisture and the layer of soil now become a nice little nursery for plants to grow in peace.
Saggy Drains
Saggy drains mean that things have become more serious than ever and, also, the fact that your rain gutters have been neglected for a very long time. When accumulated debris becomes too heavy for the guttering system, it will begin to sag in the middle. You will need to act fast in not only cleaning it but also to repair the damage.
Waterfall
A clogged gutter won’t allow for adequate drainage through the down pipes and as a result, the infamous “waterfall effect” is seen from the rooftop. The runoff water, which cannot pass through, will end up spilling over from the sides and when allowed to happen for long enough, it may even damage the foundations.
If you are seeing even one of these five signs, it is time to call in a professional. In fact, a professionally cleaned rain gutter will stay clean for much longer and save you the time, effort, and boredom of doing it all by yourself.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
