It’s essential to clean out your gutters every fall before the snow falls. Gutter cleaning is necessary for home maintenance, yet many people neglect this chore until winter comes. Then it’s too late.
You can avoid water damage and structural decay – not to mention physical harm – by getting out there and cleaning out your gutters by hiring a professional window washer.
The Cost To Clean Your Gutters
How Much Does It Cost To Clean My Gutters?
Hiring a contractor to clean your gutters is not a cheap endeavor. A typical 2,000 square foot home should cost between $150 and $250 depending on the services that are being provided.
The average price of gutter cleaning is roughly around $200, making it almost twice as expensive as window cleaning, which costs about 95 dollars.
How Do I Find A Gutter Cleaning Professional?
When looking for a gutter cleaning company, it’s important to consider all of your options. The best way to find the right service is by researching and getting quotes from different companies to get an idea of what prices are like before hiring someone new.
This will help ensure that you don’t overpay or underpay for services because so many variables are involved with pricing, including location, time spent on each job, equipment used, etc. For this reason, it’s always best to ask as many questions as possible when choosing a gutter cleaner- not just about price but also the quality of work!
Why Is Gutter Cleaning Important?
Why Not Put Off Gutter Cleaning Until Later?
Water pooling around your foundation can seep inside, causing extensive damage to both your home’s interior and exterior. This water also will attract insects that are likely to invade your home or become a hazard if they nest outside near doors or windows. Dirt, leaves, and other debris left in gutters will eventually dry out, causing them to clog up even more so than usual.
All this means you’ll probably have to clean them again much sooner than expected. The job of removing all this dirt is never done – which means you risk having to do it during winter when you least feel like getting wet and dirty.
What Causes Water Damage?
If there’s one thing homeowners never want to deal with, it’s the presence of moisture in their homes. Water collects around your foundation when leaves, dirt, and other debris clog your gutters instead of flowing away from home.
But this is just half of the equation. As rainwater flows into your gutters, it becomes trapped if they’re not clean – which means you could be facing damage caused by heavy rainfall just as easily as light drizzles. The longer you wait to clean out your gutters, the worse things will get for your home.
What Else Can Happen?
Aside from directly causing problems like water damage (which can lead to extensive repairs or even an insurance claim), dirty gutters can also lead to accidents. Slippery leaves and mud obstruct your gutters, making them difficult to climb. A slip could cause you harm or lead to a lawsuit against you – and again, both scenarios are less than desirable for any homeowner who does not want their home (and life) at risk.
Can I DIY It?
What Should I Keep In Mind When Cleaning My Gutters?
If you insist on cleaning the gutters yourself, then safety is paramount. It is the most important thing if you’re going to clean out your gutters yourself during the fall or winter months. Don’t make the mistake of climbing up on a ladder with only one hand while holding a garbage bag (or worse, a handful of grass clippings) in another. You risk falling and injuring yourself if you don’t take proper precautions before getting started. Always make sure someone is watching as you work, and use both hands to carry heavy debris.
How Do I Clean My Gutters?
Make sure that your ladder is facing the correct way. If you’re cleaning out a one-story roof, don’t prop it up or lean against the house (which could lead to having the ladder fall backward and cause you to lose your balance). If you’re working with a two-story roof, avoid climbing too high – especially if there are no railings around the edge of the roof for support. A sharp tool like a garden spade can help dislodge difficult clumps of dirt. Be prepared – gardening gloves will keep your hands dry while dirtying them slightly. Make sure none of the dirt or debris in your gutters is wet. Moisture will only exacerbate the damage to your foundation – and it could also attract insects who might try to find warmth in your home.
Be sure to dispose of the dirt properly when you’re done. You can place plastic bags inside one another for easier disposal or just tie them into small bundles to carry with one hand. Keep them separate from other household garbage until trash day. If they’re still mostly dry when you’re done cleaning out the gutters, you can leave them outside for a while before placing them into a bin or trash bag. In any case, never dump leaves or dirt into a storm drain!
