Is gutter clean-out on your spring to-do list?  No?  It should be. 6086748364_f348b64142_bIt might not seem like such a big deal when it comes to maintaining your home, but it's very important for the life of your roof as well as the rest of your home.

We recommend you do it twice a year, and then have it checked throughout the year after heavy rains or windstorms. Early spring is a good time, since you can clean out debris that has built up over the winter so your gutters are ready for heavy rains we often get here in the Minneapolis area in the spring.

The other time we recommend it is in the late fall after all the leaves have fallen off the trees.  That way you know your gutters are ready to handle winter snow melt.

Not cleaning your gutters regularly can lead to serious issues for your roof and the rest of your home. This can lead to expensive roof repairs and replacement gutters. Problems Due to Clogged Gutters
  • Damage to Your Foundation:  When the gutters fail to move the water that falls onto your home away from the home, then this can cause the water to run off the sides of the gutters. This water that drips into the ground around the home then seeps into the foundation of the home. After time, the water that pools in the area can break down and cause cracks in the foundation.
  • Damage to Wood on Your Home:  Any wood that your home is made up of, including soffits and fascia as well as the wood under the siding can become ruined from water that is running out of the gutters. This can then cause rot, holes and other issues in the wood of the home.
  • Damage to Surrounding Shrubs and Trees:  As water falls off the sides of the home and onto the surrounding shrubs and trees, you will find that it may damage your landscaping plants.  This also costs a lot of money to fix. The shrubs can be drowning and you may not notice it for some time, until it is too late and they have to be replaced.
  • Ice Dam Build-Ups:  When the water builds up in the gutters and then freezes with changing temperatures, this causes damage to roofing, soffit and fascia boards, and even your gutters.  The ice dam formed can also cause melting snow to  seep into the inside of the home, causing water damage.
Not sure what shape your gutters are in?  Start with cleaning them out, and then speak with us here at Quarve to find out how we can provide a thorough gutter inspection. You should have this done sooner rather than later.  In the mean time, check out some of the signs to watch out for that show your gutters need to be replaced. Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed MN exterior home improvement contractor serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, and we offer gutter installation among our other services.