Clean gutters are essential for maintaining your home’s exterior and preventing water damage. They act as a drainage system, directing rainwater away from your foundation.

With clean gutters, rainwater flows freely, reducing the chances of mould buildup, rust, and decay. Well-functioning gutters also maintain hangers and downspouts, ensuring proper function while minimizing blockages, leaks, and standing water.

Unfortunately for homeowners, it’s not always so easy to tell if your gutters are clogged or not. 

The Visual Signs of Clogged Gutters

Several physical signs can indicate your rain gutters are clogged and in need of cleaning:

Sagging Gutters

Clogged sections and downspouts can cause your gutter system to sag as the weight of debris and trapped water pulls them down. 

Vegetation

A good indication of clogged gutters is the presence of plants, leaves, small twigs, pine needles, or other debris noticeably sticking out of the gutter channel. These accumulations also attract pests like mice and can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.  

Water Spillage

Whether or not you have gutter guards installed, check for overflow. If water spills over the gutter guard when it rains, it is a clear sign of a blockage. Depending on the severity of the clog and its location, you will hear the rain as it splashes down from above.

Siding Damage

Moisture-related damage, including water stains, mould growth, or rot, on your home’s siding near the gutters may indicate clogged gutters.

Roof Damage

Roof shingles near the gutters that show signs of moisture damage, such as curling or decay, could be the result of a malfunctioning drainage system.

Seasonal Gutter Inspection and Maintenance

It’s not enough to be reactive when you spot the first signs of trouble; proper home maintenance demands a proactive approach! To ensure your gutters are in good condition, follow these seasonal inspection and maintenance practices:

• Fall cleanup: Before winter arrives, clean your gutters of fallen leaves and debris to ensure proper drainage during the rainy season.
• Severe weather aftermath: After severe weather events, such as heavy rain or storms, inspect your gutters for any damage, clogs, or blockage caused by debris.
• Spring inspection: Inspect your gutters in the spring to address any issues that may have occurred during the winter months, including ice dams or damage from snow buildup.

Stay on Top of Your Gutter Maintenance

If it’s been over a year since your last gutter cleaning, or you suspect possible damage, you don’t have time to waste. Once water damage takes hold and infiltrates your home’s foundation, roofing, and walls, your repair bill will skyrocket. 

Whether you decide to perform these gutter cleanings yourself or call in a professional is entirely up to you. However, even a two-story home can be a very daunting manual task if you don’t like heights. If you choose the DIY option, you’ll require work gloves, an extension ladder, a trowel or gutter scoop, a bucket, and an appropriate pressure washer to remove the grime. Having another person on-site for added support is also a good idea. 

Given the protective nature of the service and the money you’ll save on preventable water damage, professional gutter-cleaning services are the best way to preserve the exterior of your home, especially in rainy Vancouver.

Martinez Property Services Can Help

If you’re looking for a company that understands the ins and outs of property maintenance for residential properties across the Lower Mainland, Martinez Property Services has years of experience and is well versed in gutter maintenance for all sizes of homes. 
Quick. Thorough. Professional. From window cleaning to pressure washing, Martinez Property Services does it all. Get in touch for a free quote today!