Why would you need to consider gutter cleaning as part of your spring cleaning routine?
Sure, it’s Vancouver and it rains a lot, but a little extra rain never hurt anyone…right? Wrong.
Especially when it comes to gutter cleaning in Vancouver, it’s important to keep your gutters working properly to avoid a large list of property issues.
From heaving driveways to allergic reactions, some of the most unsuspecting symptoms can be traced back to the lack of regular gutter cleaning. Here’s how it works:
Gutters protect your roof, wall and foundation from erosion due to rainfall. When your gutters are clogged, not only do you lose that protection but you’re inviting mold, pests and rodents to take place and grow in your gutters. An urban jungle above your head, crowning your property like a mold-green tiara.
No, thanks.
Not only do clogged, moldy or broken gutters look terrible, but they’re a source of many other issues that plague property owners. Here are 3 symptoms you may not have considered.
Water Damage
Clogged gutters can’t do their job, which means that rain will seep through the sides of your home, causing water damage and potentially pooling in your basement. Flooded basecamps can be a very real issue during the rainy season.
(If you haven’t noticed, it’s almost always rain season in Vancouver.)
Water that settles at the base of your property can lead to foundation issues, which can cost upwards of $10,000 to fix.
The threat doesn’t just affect the base of your property – it starts at the top. Weak shingles result in shingle grit, which can clog up your gutter. Clogged gutters result in backed up rainwater, which will weaken surrounding shingles. Notice the cycle?
From your roof, to sidings and even your foundation, water damage is the #1 reason you should consider gutter cleaning in Vancouver.
Curb Appeal
Broken gutters will break off the top of your property, jutting out like a loose straw on a pop can. Not to mention the mold and the mildew that accumulates due to rainwater.
Expect the value of your real estate to fall when you’ve got foundation issues, mold and mildew – all stemming from your gutters. We’ve seen “gutter gardens” sprout from clogged gutters, an ecosystem of plant life taking place from the broken-down organic material in gutters. Can you imagine the damage to your property with a mini-garden growing in your gutter?
Faulty gutters can also affect your driveway. Puddles that naturally build up around your house due to clogged gutters, will attract nearby trees to take root near your property. Have you ever noticed heaving highways and roots that grow under the asphalt? Your local tree, which graciously supplies the leaves that clog your gutter, is literally taking root under your property.
It doesn’t just look bad – serious damage will hurt your property value as well.
Pests, Plants And Rodents
It turns out that fallen leaves make a cozy home for rodents and the mushy, rotting organic material is a great place for insects. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and pests, while mold can result in allergic symptoms for some.
Gutter cleaning is a necessity in Vancouver, and even if things “look fine” right now, you may not see the long-term signs of property damage until it’s too late.
We recommend gutter cleaning at least twice a year, depending on your location. Having trees nearby will greatly affect how often your gutters need to be cleaned.
When cleaning your gutters – do yourself a favour, and avoid doing it yourself. Gutter cleaning done improperly is not only ineffective – it can be dangerous. We use industrial gutter vacuums to ensure the job gets done properly, and our professionals are 100% trained and insured.
If you’re looking for gutter cleaning in Vancouver, contact IMAGINE today at (888) 835-0008.