As we bid farewell to the scorching summer months and welcome the crisp, colorful days of fall, it's time to think about home maintenance. Among the many tasks on your checklist, one often overlooked but critical task is cleaning your gutters. It's not the most glamorous job, but neglecting it can lead to a host of problems. In this post, we'll unpack why cleaning your gutters is essential as we head into fall and how installing gutter guards can save you time, energy, and money. Plus, we'll mention a handy companion for this DIY project – Werner Ladders
Why Not Just Use Gutters?
As the leaves start to change and fall, they don't just create a picturesque landscape; they also create a potential headache for homeowners. Leaves, twigs, and debris can easily find their way into your gutters, clogging them and obstructing the flow of rainwater. Without proper drainage, you risk water damage, including roof leaks, foundation issues, and even basement flooding. These are just a few problems that can arise, and they can also be quite costly if not dealt with quickly.
The Solution: Installing Gutter Guards
Cleaning gutters is a necessary evil, but what if there was a way to significantly reduce the frequency and hassle of this task? Enter gutter guards, with Shur Flo guards being our recommended brand for customers. These nifty devices act as a barrier over your gutters, preventing leaves and debris from entering while allowing water to flow freely.
Here's why they are a game-changer:
Time Saver: No more climbing up that ladder every few weeks to scoop out gunk from your gutters. Gutter guards reduce the need for frequent cleaning, giving you more leisure time to enjoy the fall season.
Prevents Clogs: Gutter guards act as a barrier against leaves and debris, ensuring your gutters remain clear and water flows freely.
Reduces Pests: Clogged gutters can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, squirrels, rodents, and other pests that thrive in that environment. With gutter guards, you can rest easy knowing your gutters are clear, keeping those pests away from your home.
Minimize Ice Dams: By allowing leaves, sticks, twigs, and other debris to enter your gutters, the build-up of ice and snow during the winter will be more exaggerated. On average, it costs $1,200 to remove an ice dam from a two-story, 1,500 sq/ft home. Not to mention, unattended ice dams can lead to further issues, such as water damage and even mold build-up.
Protect from Mold & Mildew: Nobody is excited to smell or see that they have a build-up of mold in their gutters. This typically occurs when gutters become clogged, creating an environment for mold and mildew to form. Costs vary depending on the severity of mold build-up, but average around $1,500 to $6,000.
Most importantly, all of these points have an underlying theme: gutter guards will save you money long-term. On average, it costs $1,481 to have your gutter guards installed, and it’ll cost even less if you turn it into a DIY project. Even when getting gutter guards professionally installed, the cost is less compared to the thousands of dollars you could spend repairing clogged gutters, water damage, ice dams, build-up of mold and mildew, and pest infestations.
CGR Wholesale Roofing & Siding Supply Center, based in Rostraver, is your local partner for all your gutter guard needs. One of our featured products is this efficient and reliable Shur Flo gutter guard, designed to enhance your gutter system's performance and minimize maintenance needs.
Take Action Today!
Ready to make your fall maintenance a breeze? Don't wait until your gutters are overflowing with leaves and debris. Visit our warehouse or website to learn more about our 10ft long Shur Flo gutter guards. Our team at CGR Wholesale Roofing & Siding Supply Center is here to help you choose the right product for your home, ensuring a seamless DIY project. If you need a reliable ladder for installation, we also stock Werner Ladders, making those home improvement tasks a little bit easier for you.