Category: Gutter Cleaning

Would you agree that owning a home is both a source of pride and a continuous responsibility? As a busy homeowner, you have a list of maintenance tasks to attend to. Gutter cleaning stands out as critically important but frequently neglected. Here’s the thing—regular gutter cleaning is not merely a routine chore; it’s a proactive measure to protect and enhance your home’s longevity and appearance.  Here’s why tailored care for your home through professional gutter cleaning is important. Vancouver’s Rain: A Challenge for Homeowners Can you imagine Vancouver without its lush landscapes and coastal beauty? We all know that the natural gem that Vancouver is can largely be attributed to its generous rainfall. Love it or hate it – we need the rain. Period. While this rain nourishes the region’s natural beauty, it also poses unique challenges for homeowners. With average annual rainfall significantly higher than much of Canada, the need for effective exterior house cleaning—like gutter cleaning—is crucial. Regular gutter cleaning in such a wet climate as ours isn’t just advisable; it’s essential for protecting your home from water damage. Tailored Care for Your Unique Home Every home in BC, with its distinctive architectural features—from timber frame construction and vinyl siding to asphalt shingles—requires a detailed approach to gutter cleaning. Recognizing this, we adopt a method specifically catered to the materials and design of your home. Using specialized equipment, our team ensures a gentle yet thorough gutter cleaning, safeguarding your home’s integrity while effectively managing rainwater. Precision, Respect, and Community Consciousness Our approach to gutter cleaning focuses on precision and respect for your property and your community. Understanding that our operations could impact your neighbourhood, we conduct our services with the utmost care, ensuring minimal disruption.  More Than Just Gutter Cleaning At IMAGINE, gutter cleaning is just the start. Our comprehensive suite of services—from power washing and roof washing to awning detailing and window cleaning—is designed to enhance your home’s beauty and longevity. Especially in a region like Vancouver, where the elements are constantly at play, these services are not just beneficial; they’re crucial for maintaining your home’s curb appeal and structural integrity. The Value of Bundled Services Understanding the diverse needs of our clients, we’ve introduced Value Bundles to simplify and enrich the home maintenance experience. These bundles are not just cost-effective; they represent our holistic approach to home care, ensuring that all your maintenance needs are addressed efficiently and effectively. It’s a reflection of our commitment to providing comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique challenges of homes in Vancouver and beyond. Imagine opting for an exterior house cleaning company that deeply understands the impact of the local climate on your home!  With IMAGINE, you’re not just maintaining your home; you’re protecting it and enhancing your investment with tailored, respectful, and comprehensive care. Contact us to get a free estimate for gutter cleaning or learn more about our Value Bundle. 

Vancouver, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant greenery, is undeniably one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. This beauty comes partially from our diverse and abundant trees, including the majestic Douglas Fir, the stately Western Red Cedar, and the charming Big Leaf Maple. However, with such natural splendour comes the responsibility of maintaining our homes, especially in older neighbourhoods like Shaughnessy, West Vancouver, South Vancouver, East Vancouver, and the White Rock area. A vital aspect of this maintenance? Gutter cleaning, of course.  The Necessity of Gutter Maintenance in Vancouver Living in Vancouver involves adjusting to a distinct climate, whether you’re a native or have journeyed from another part of the country or even across the world to settle here. With around 1,000 millimetres of rain each year, this plentiful precipitation, although it nurtures our lush surroundings, can also result in gutters spilling over. This is particularly true when you factor in the leaves falling from both your own and your neighbours’ trees. Unchecked gutters can cause a myriad of issues, from water damage to your property to becoming breeding grounds for rodents and birds. Moreover, as we’ve seen in recent years, Vancouver isn’t immune to freezing temperatures and snow in the winter, adding another layer of urgency to regular gutter maintenance. Imagine a Partner in Property Maintenance For almost 20 years, IMAGINE has been serving Vancouver and its surrounding areas, providing expert cleaning services for gutters and house exteriors. We understand the unique challenges that Vancouver homeowners face and offer solutions to keep your property safe, secure, and visually appealing. Our services don’t just stop at enhancing your home’s curb appeal. We also focus on protecting your property from the adverse effects of clogged gutters, such as water overflow, pest infestations, and potential structural damage. With IMAGINE, gutter cleaning isn’t just a chore; it’s a way to preserve and enjoy the beauty of Vancouver’s natural environment without the drawbacks. Preparing for Vancouver’s Weather As residents of Vancouver, we’re no strangers to the city’s ever-changing weather patterns. The increasing rain and occasional snow highlight the importance of having your gutters cleaned and maintained regularly. Our Team at IMAGINE is equipped to handle these challenges, ensuring that your gutters are prepared for whatever the Vancouver weather throws. In a city where nature’s beauty is a part of daily life, maintaining that harmony between our homes and the environment is crucial. At IMAGINE, we’re committed to helping you enjoy the best of Vancouver – its trees and greenery – without worrying about the leaves in your gutters.  So, before the rain sets in or the first snowflake falls, consider reserving your gutter cleaning appointment with us. Let our friendly team take care of your gutter cleaning needs so you can enjoy Vancouver’s natural splendour worry-free.

Spring is the time for renewal, growth and new beginnings. If you didn’t get a chance to have your gutters cleaned in the fall, right now would be the perfect time to do so. Gutters tend to get clogged over time if they haven’t been cleaned in a while with debris, slowing rainwater from flowing seamlessly through them. If gutters are left uncleaned, it could lead to other problems later on. Three reasons gutter cleaning is advised in the Spring  Having your gutters cleaned is important to ensure that rainwater can flow through seamlessly to prevent property damage. It can be a tedious task to take on by yourself, and that is why our cleaning crew can have them cleaned for you. How We Can Help If you’re looking to have your gutters cleaned, fill out our contact form. Someone from our friendly cleaning crew will be in touch with more information about our gutter cleaning services after reviewing your request.  

The fall season is upon us, and it’s time to start preparing for the heavy Vancouver rain! As leaves fall, they can clog gutters if they are not cleared. Rainwater needs to flow seamlessly through the gutters to find its way back to its source. Here are four reasons why you should consider getting gutter cleaning services. 1. Prevent water damage Rainwater may not drain properly if gutters are clogged with leaves and debris. If gutters are not cleared, the rainwater will have to find different paths to flow through. Over time, this could result in the building structure being damaged. 2. Protect your roof When gutters get clogged, rainwater has nowhere to run. The water then begins to flow over, which can eventually cause roofs to rot or leak. Not only is this an inconvenience for those being disrupted by the leak, but it also leaves the structure unappealing to look at. Imagine walking into a store with a leaky or damaged roof. Customers are likely to turn away with the impression that the business with the leaky or damaged roof is neglectful or does not care about its products or brand. Not only do clean gutters allow rainwater to flow properly, but it also leaves building structures looking clean and well-maintained.  3. Reduce the risk of a cracked foundation As rainwater collects around the foundation of any building structure, it can weaken the foundation over time as the water freezes and expands in the colder months. When professional gutter cleaning is done, it allows water to flow freely and travel to its source without causing damage to building structures. 4. Keep pests away Did you know that clogged gutters with leaves are a great place for rodents, birds, and insects to reside in? Keeping gutters clean is important to prevent pest infestations.  Let Us Take Care Of Your Gutters Want to keep rainwater flowing and maintain the structure of the buildings you manage? Fill out our contact form for a free quote for our gutter cleaning services, and we’ll have you and the strata you work for feeling happy and satisfied with what they’re seeing!

Gutters. Don’t we all just wish we didn’t have to think about them? We can’t see inside them and cleaning them doesn’t give us the kind of satisfaction we get from say, cleaning our cars. Yet we know they’re part of the system that keeps the biggest investments of our lives free from rot. No doubt about it, they are hard to clean. It’s clear why one would be drawn to a gutter guard system. Do they work? Are they a good investment? Yes and no. Design Factors The choices for effective gutter guards depend on the design of the gutter guard and the volume of the leaves, twigs, pine cones, and needles that accumulate. Gutter guards that arch upwards, have a large lip that creates a tray, or that don’t have the perfect angle that let’s leaves slide off are examples of poor designs. These designs will capture material which rots and decays, preventing water from going into the gutter tray. Even a well-designed guard can be blocked by big giant leaves over the holes like a piece of paper. Material Gets Through The trapped material breaks down, makes its way past the guard and begins to pile up, causing sludge and moss to grow in the gutter. To clean all of this material out the gutter guards need to be removed. Often the guards do not go back on the same way as screws get rusty and mesh gets bent or twisted. It can be laborious and expensive. So when is good to use them and when is it not? When the volume of material is low you’ll get years of worry-free gutters. If you have a big yard with big trees that rain down tons of material in the fall our opinion is that the cost/benefit is just not there. If you feel like gutter guards are the right choice for you, you’ll need to make sure you choose the right ones. Gutter guards come in five main varieties all with their unique pros and cons. Types Of Gutter Guards Foam Gutter Guards Foam gutter guards are porous strips that fit into your gutters. When it rains, the water drains through the foam and any debris is blocked on top of the foam. The foam is cheap and easy to install but breaks down fairly quickly. It needs replacing every one or two years. You will also need to perform some regular maintenance to clean the debris off the top of the foam. Bottlebrush Gutter Guards Bottlebrush gutter guards resemble a long wire brush and fit into your gutter just like the foam gutter guards above. The idea is that leaves and twigs get caught in the bristles while water is free to flow. These guards require frequent cleaning, especially if you live near trees. This is another low-cost solution that requires routine maintenance.   Reverse Curve Gutter Guards Reverse curve gutter guards use the concept of surface tension to direct water into your gutters. They completely cover your eavestrough in an attempt to block any debris from entering and have a smooth downward curve which water clings to until it drops into the gutter. It can be quite expensive to install, and in cold climates icicles are likely to form off the sides. The system is not entirely maintenance-free, and debris can still find its way into the gutter. When maintenance is performed, removal of the guard can be difficult. While this is a cool concept, it has too many issues to be effective. Screen Gutter Guards Screen gutter guards cover the tops of gutters and water passes through large holes while debris is swept aside or remains on top. The screen holes let smaller debris like pine needles, seeds, or dirt pass through meaning you’ll need to remove the guards from time to time to clean out the insides of your gutters. They are relatively cheap, and DIY packages are available, but routine gutter cleaning still needs to be performed. Mesh Gutter Guards Mesh gutter guards are similar to screen guards except the water is filtered through a fine mesh, keeping even the smallest debris from entering your gutters. The holes can be as tiny as 50 microns wide! It’s quite expensive to purchase and requires proper installation so you won’t be able to do this one yourself. In heavy rainfall areas, water may skip across the surface and not drain into your gutter. Debris cleaning will also need to be performed from time to time. Professional Gutter Cleaning Service Our professional gutter cleaning service is the most effective way to clear out all parts of your eavestrough and downspouts from debris and dirt. We use high powered industrial vacuums to ensure a thorough clean and we photo document the job for your piece of mind. We recommend having your gutters cleaned at least twice a year, which is how often you would need to perform routine maintenance on your gutter guards anyways. We often remove gutter guards on homes as per the homeowner’s request as well. Sometimes, they just aren’t worth the hassle. If your home is two stories or taller, you should never take the risk of performing any gutter cleaning or maintenance yourself. It would be best if you left it to a professional that has the safety training and equipment necessary to perform such tasks.  Ladder falls from misuse are the most common cause of injury. Get a free quote for gutter cleaning services today from the professionals at IMAGINE Services.

Ladders are needed for many DIY tasks but if you don’t have the right ladder or experience, you could be putting yourself in a very precarious situation. There are a multitude of gutter cleaning methods we use after we judge the safety of a job. The Traditional Method For gutters that can be easily reached with a ladder, hand cleaning is an extremely effective way of cleaning gutters. The problem with this method is that ladders can be very dangerous. In one ten year period (to 2014), 20% of workplace deaths in Canada were caused by ladder falls. This is not a statistic we take lightly and neither should you. When hiring any person to perform work on your home it is vital you check they are insured. If an uninsured contractor has an injury while working at your property, they are not covered by WorkSafe BC insurance and you will be liable for their injuries. Our years of gutter and window cleaning experience allows us to recognize when the traditional method is appropriate and when it’s not. Vacuums For harder to reach gutters that are high up, vacuums come in handy. Our vacuums can extend up multiple stories so are perfect for cleaning gutters on commercial buildings or homes. This method is also much safer as ladders are generally not required. Our gutter cleaning vacuums have a large diameter which allows for piles of leaves and water, to be cleaned up. These are professional standard tools that are beyond the price point of most home tools. If the gutters on your home or building are too high up to be cleared by hand with a ladder, we recommend you give us a call. As important as gutter cleaning is, it’s never worth putting yourself into an unsafe situation over. Leaf Blower For heavily clogged gutters, a leaf blower is a very useful tool. We often begin our gutter cleaning service with a leaf blower and finish the job either by hand or vacuum. Using a leaf blower from a ladder is not safe so we don’t recommend this. The safest way to get your gutters cleaned, is by professional, insured gutter cleaning experts. Right now, we’re offering free exterior window cleaning with every gutter cleaning service booked. Simply request a gutter cleaning quote online and we’ll be in touch. But be quick, this great deal is for a limited time only*. *Offer available during November 2017

Gutters are easily forgotten but they should be given a bit of TLC to avoid big problems. Wind, rain and leaves are all causes of gutter related problems in Vancouver. Gutter cleaning ensures water can run freely through your gutters without overflowing, damaging your home, garden and foundations. The Million Dollar Question Our answer to the commonly asked question “how often should I clean my gutters” is at least twice a year. Fall and spring are the most important times. In fall, you want to clear your gutters of any leaves that have dropped throughout the past few months, and also check that nothing is nesting there. In Vancouver, gutter cleaning is especially important at this time of year as it prepares your gutters for the large amount of rain that will be arriving in winter. In spring, you want to check that the harsh winter hasn’t done any damage to your gutters and also ensure they are clear for the inevitable increase in leaves as spring returns. Is Gutter Cleaning Needed More Than Twice A Year? If you live in an area surrounded by trees, you could find your gutters could become clogged more quickly. Next time you book a gutter cleaning appointment, ask one of our friendly team how clogged your gutters were to get a better idea of if you should be getting your gutters cleaned a couple of times each season. Not sure whether you need to schedule gutter cleaning? Find out about some of the damage you could face by not regularly booking gutter cleaning. Vancouver residents often find themselves with hefty repair costs all thanks to blocked gutters in winter. Contact us today, to get a gutter cleaning quote for your Vancouver home or building. Our experienced team would be more than happy to answer any gutter cleaning questions you may have.

As summer becomes a distant memory, the season of leafy gutters is upon us. Soon we will be battling the rain, snow and more falling leaves – all of which can clog your gutters. Now is the best time to look into gutter cleaning as you want to ensure nothing is in your gutter that could block the flow of water when the Vancouver rains arrive. It’s not just leaves that could be filling your gutter, wildlife such as birds and may have set up home there too. These are the main problems you could face if you don’t schedule in a gutter cleaning session before winter arrives. Gutters exist to channel water away from your roof and home. If the gutter is blocked, rain water will overflow into places it shouldn’t. Many homes have a wooden board fixing gutters in place, if water is constantly soaking the wood, it will rot. Getting this replaced can be far pricier than the cost of gutter cleaning. You don’t want your landscaped garden, car or self to be underneath an overflowing gutter. That flow of water will be far heavier than your average rainy day. The overflowing water of a blocked gutter can pool around your home’s foundations. Over time, cracks could form and damage the building’s foundations. To avoid these problems, get in touch with our friendly team to book an appointment. Our team are experts when it comes to gutter cleaning. Vancouver is lucky to have many tree lined streets and wooded areas, if you live in a neighbourhood like that, consider getting your gutters cleaned again once all of the trees have shed their leaves. Book your gutter cleaning online today.