Your gutters give a huge aesthetic boost to your home, providing elegant contrasting lines against your already beautiful exterior. However, even more important than the aesthetic value of your gutters is their practical value. Your gutters protect your home’s walls and foundation from water damage that would otherwise occur if precipitation was not diverted away from your home’s exterior. Keeping up with your gutter maintenance is important for protecting your home and preserving the beauty that your gutters provide.
A Time for Renewal
The new year is the best time to think about your future gutter plans. Most years, this only entails thinking about when you’re going to maintain your gutters, or schedule repairs. However, gutters have a limited lifespan, and they will eventually need replacement. If you have aluminum gutters, they will last 15 to 20 years, but copper gutters can last up to 50! Regardless, when your gutters need replacement, it’s great to have a plan in place beforehand to avoid any surprises.
Whether or not your gutters need replacement, they will almost certainly need to be cleaned and inspected throughout the year. It is suggested by most gutter professionals to get your gutters inspected at least once a year and cleaned once or twice a year depending on where your home or business is located. If you live near a forest, you will likely have to clean your gutters more frequently as opposed to an open field where your gutters may only have to be cleaned once a year. Having a cleaning schedule is a great way to stay on track with the seasons and ensure your gutters are ready to face the elements.
Preparing for Spring!
Winter is not generally the time that most people work on their gutters, however it is a great time for planning. You hopefully won’t have to perform a gutter service for a while but scheduling in advance for the spring may be helpful in saving you time and money as you will be certain your gutters are being maintained properly and sufficiently often. The new year is also a great time to think about major repairs or replacements.
If you’re planning on replacing your gutters soon, you’ve likely saved up and set aside money for that specific purpose, but if you haven’t yet, there is still time to do so before the spring rains come around. You can even use slow winter days to plan for the aesthetic part of a gutter replacement, have fun with it– explore the options available to you! Additionally, having a conversation with your gutter service professional can help you schedule good times for any possible repairs or cleaning that you will need for the rest of the year.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your gutters should not be a source for stress, instead it should be something that you can look forward to as it is a way of protecting your home and increasing its aesthetic value. Utilizing the winter months to plan for subsequent cleanings and repairs, or possibly a replacement, will save you plenty of time in the warmer months that you can use to enjoy the weather outdoors without worrying about the safety of your home and its foundation. If you need a gutter service professional, contact GutterPros for a free consultation.