Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Powellton, WV

Depending on the quality of the materials and the installation of your home's gutter system, you can expect between 20 and 50 years of service from your gutters. Homeowners who perform, or hire someone to perform, regular maintenance and cleaning of the system will experience the longest lifespan possible from their systems, provided it doesn't sustain damage from storms or other peril.

While gutter guards offer protection for your gutter system, they aren't completely safe from clogs. Over time, small pieces of debris can get through gutter screens. This can eventually cause clogged gutters, gutter leaks, mold formation, and other problems that can compromise your roof, foundation, and other parts of your home. In fact, it's common to see plants growing from gutter screens when gutter guard cleaning has been neglected. Knowing how to clean gutter guards is important to protect your gutter system from damage or malfunction.

Spring and fall tend to be the best times of the year to clean gutters. Fall is when all of the leaves drop into your gutters, so you'll want to clear that out to prevent clogs from becoming worse. Once spring comes, you'll also want to make sure that your gutters are clear of debris for in preparation for rainfall.

Clean your gutters at least twice a year if you don't have any trees near your home. If you have many large trees or pine trees, then you'll want to clean your gutters every three to four months.

If you’re not interested in digging up your yard, but you still need to direct water away from your house, another option is to extend your downspouts further out into the yard. Two methods to do this are:

• Adding a splashguard. This is the simplest method. You can purchase a splashguard at your local hardware store and place it under your downspout. This will act as a funnel to direct water away from your house.

• Add downspout extension at the end. You can also add an additional downspout to the end of the “elbow” as a way to extend the water further out into your yard. Some hardware stores sell downspouts with a flexible extension that you can maneuver around your yard.

The above alternatives are great options if your gutters are above a slab foundation that you wouldn’t want to dig up. One downside to these methods is if your yard slopes back upwards to your home, then the water won’t actually flow away. In which case, burying your downspouts if the best option to avoid flooding and water damage to your home.