Summer brings backyard barbecues, the satisfying smell of freshly cut grass, late sunsets, favorite swimming holes, blooming flowers, and lazy days where there’s nothing to do but soak in some sun. Unfortunately, it also brings droughts, heavy thunderstorms, sweltering heat, air that’s thick with pollen, and lots and lots and lots of insects. Yes, summer can be a bit of a bummer. Especially for your gutters.
Your gutters face attacks on several fronts during the summer months.
Pollen
Your gutters don’t like pollen any more than you do. You may have to endure sneezing and watery eyes but in your gutters, pollen can collect and form a thick paste that makes it impossible for your gutters to drain properly. Weeds love global warming and their growing season has been getting longer, typically extending into fall. Having your gutters cleaned will remove the pollen paste.
Plants
Have you ever seen a tree growing in a gutter? We have! After seeds take flight in the spring, they can land in your gutters, which, if you’ve got standing water and an accumulation of debris, you’ve got the perfect incubator for seeds to germinate and grow. They not only can damage the gutters but they can cause an even greater build-up of debris and should be removed immediately.
Insects
We all know not to leave buckets or other containers outside where water can accumulate to keep mosquitoes from laying their eggs. If you’re not checking your gutters for pooling water, you’re missing a big mosquito breeding ground. Pooling can be caused by debris buildup or bent, damaged, or improperly installed gutters and should be fixed immediately.
Debris
When debris builds up in your gutters, it can cause pooling, mold growth, and in drier periods, dry leaves have been known to spark a fire, although it is rare. Gutter guards are a good solution for keeping gutters free from debris.
Pests
Birds love to build nests in gutters, especially if they haven’t been cleaned in a while and they’re filled with sticks and leaves, i.e. nesting materials. The bird’s perfect place to raise a family can cause a lot of damage to your gutters or your house. Squirrels and chipmunks have been known to build homes in gutters too.
Dust
When the summer is particularly dry, dust can build up in your gutters. Even in drought conditions, dew forms during the night which moistens the dust, creating a hard crust. Not only that, but some sometimes the substances that have accumulated can react with moisture to make an acidic compound that can corrode your gutters and make holes. And we all know what holes in gutters can do: ruin siding, cause leaky windows and doors, as well as damage your foundation.
Overhanging Trees and Dead Branches
Trees and foliage near your house can cause major problems for your gutters. Besides clogging them with leaves and sticks, their branches can scrape against the roof and gutters. Be sure to trim back the branches and foliage every year to keep them from damaging your home.
Once the trees have filled in with their lovely leaves, it’s easier to spot the dead branches that can cause a hazard if they fall on your roof or gutters. Time to cut the dead wood.
Summer weather can be unpredictable. That’s why preparing them for summer with a thorough inspection and cleaning, especially if you didn’t do this in the spring, is so important in keeping problems from cropping up in the future. It’s also a good time to have gutter guards installed, well before those first leaves begin to fall.
At Gutterpros, our dedicated professionals clean, inspect, and repair gutters. Don’t have gutters? We install them too! Call us today at (314) 656-7195 and schedule an appointment today.