Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Palatine Bridge, NY

This question requires personal discernment. Most homeowners leave gutter guards in place throughout the year. However, metal gutter guards can potentially freeze at low temperatures. In areas with heavy snowfall and ice formation, ice dams and snow can build up on metal gutters. Inexpensive foam gutter guards should also be removed in places that experience freezing winter temperatures due to the fact that frozen guards can become breeding spots for moss and weeds while unthawing in the spring. If you have questions about leaving gutter guards on all year long, ask a local gutter guard pro to help you analyze your options.

How you stop water from leaking between your gutters and fascia depends on the cause of the leak. Some leaks can be fixed simply by cleaning out clogged gutters or downspouts. Other leaks require you to seal holes or cracks in your gutters. Meanwhile, some leaks are a structural issue that requires replacing, changing, or adjusting your gutter system.

Most homes will sustain water damage without gutters. When a home doesn't have gutters, water that runs off the roof will splash down to the ground to create foundation damage, rotting trim, rotting fascia, and soil erosion. A broken or compromised gutter system can be just as damaging as having no gutters. That's why it's essential to talk to roofing pros about how to fix gutters pulling away from house as soon as you notice an issue.

Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, to remove the debris from trees that can clog the eavestroughs and downspouts. Debris like leaves, twigs, and seed pods can build up and cause your gutters to overflow, potentially causing damage to your roof and foundation. Water backing up under the shingles can rot the edge of your roofline. Overflow water falling next to your foundation can end up leaking into your basement or crawl space.