Gutter cleaning Little Rock

Residential and Commercial Gutter cleaning Services In Little Rock

Table Of Contents

• Gutter cleaning Costs In Little Rock
• 7 Top Benefits of Regular Gutter Cleaning
• Essential Gutter Maintenance Questions Addressed
• Making Informed Gutter Maintenance Choices

Gutter cleaning Costs In Little Rock

We service Little Rock and all surrounding areas including:

• North Little Rock
• Cabot
• Maumelle
• Jacksonville
• Sherwood
• Conway
• Benton
• Roland
• Bryant
• Alexander

7 Top Benefits of Regular Gutter Cleaning

1. Prevents Water Damage

Water is one of the most common causes of damage to homes.Valuepenguin.com, one of the biggest consumer information websites, states that 23.8% of all home insurance claims are due to water damage!
Regular gutter cleaning significantly reduces the risk of water damage caused by clogged and blocked gutters and downspouts.

2. Protects Roofing

Your home’s roof serves as the primary barrier against the elements. It plays a crucial role in protecting the interior of your home from rain, snow, and temperature extremes. When guttering is clogged, rainwater seeps under the roofing material, causing tiles or shingles to lift or warp, allowing water to invade the interior. Furthermore, if unresolved, the damp environment increases the risk of fungi, mold, and mildew growth, leading to potential rot, decay and delignification of the roofing timbers.

3. Reduces Nesting Places for Pests

Dirty guttering typically contains debris such as leaves, twigs, and standing water. This combination is the ideal habitat for many pests, such as birds, rodents, and insects that use the water for drinking and the organic debris as nesting material. A regular cleaning schedule eliminates this conducive environment.

4. Reduces Risk of Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew can grow rapidly in areas with high humidity and temperatures in the range 60-80 degrees fahrenheit, broadly in line with the typical temperature range inside the home. When gutters get backed up with water, it frequently finds its way inside the roof and basement, setting up the perfect conditions for mold and mildew growth.

5. Extends Gutter Lifespan

When maintained regularly, gutter lifespan will typically be increased. This is due to the fact clogged or blocked guttering causes rainwater to sit in the channels, rusting or corroding the metal. Furthermore, the weight of debris and standing water incraese the risk of detachment from the building.

6. Enhances Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the overall attractiveness of the external appearance of your home. Unmaintained gutters and downspouts will appear dirty and grimy and may have caused water staining to siding, walls, and fascia boards. This is not a recipe for an attractive home. Routine gutter maintenance ensures your home maintains its street appeal, which is especially important when the time comes to sell.

7. Prevents Landscape Erosion

Garden landscape erosion causes soil, organic matter, and nutrients to be systematically worn away. When the soil is eroded, it can cause water runoff, where the water pools in localized areas. This, together with the lack of soil nutrients, is detrimental to plant health and the overall look of the garden.

Essential Gutter Maintenance Questions Addressed

Why is it Essential to Keep Gutters Clean?

Keeping gutters and downspouts clean and debris-free is essential in order to protect your home from water damage, pest invasion, and mold and mildew growth. Often, gutters become clogged with debris such as leaves, twigs, dirt, and even animal droppings and nesting material. These blockages prevent the effective channeling of water from the roof and away from the foundation of the building. Routine cleaning of the guttering system ensures that your home is protected, preserving its overall structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Gutters?

When gutter cleaning is neglected, it causes debris to accumulate in the gutter channels and downspouts. Eventually, the accumulated debris will cause blockages and clogging, impeding water flow.

When water backs up in the roof drainage system, it increases the risk of gutter overflow and water intrusion beneath the roofing tiles or shingles. Overflowing rainwater from the guttering system often pools around the foundation, causing cracking, basement leaks, soil erosion, and in severe cases, structural damage.

When water finds its way under the roofing material, it can invade the interior of the home, causing mold and mildew growth, wood rot, saturated insulation, and electrical problems.

What are 6 Signs That Your Gutters Need Cleaning?

• 1. Visible Debris: Debris such as leaves and twigs in your guttering indicates your getters need cleaning.
• 2. Water Overflowing From Gutters: Rainwater spilling over the sides of your gutters is a sure sign the gutters and downspouts are clogged and requires immediate attention to restore normal water flow.
• 3. Stains on Siding or Foundation: Water stains on your building’s sidings or the walls just above the foundation are indications of a blocked guttering system that requires cleaning.
• 4. Plant Growth in Gutter or on Roof: Plant growth stemming from the gutters or the roofline of the building are clear indications of standing water usually due to clogged gutters and downspouts.
• 5. Sagging Gutters: Sagging Gutters are frequently caused by standing water and accumulated debris in the gutter channels. This is an indication of severe neglect of the roof drainage system and requires immediate cleaning and repair to restore proper functionality.
• 6. Signs of Animals or Pests in Gutters: Visible signs of animals, droppings or insects in the guttering system indicates there may be standing water caused by a blockage. The guttering system and downspouts should be thoroughly cleaned and flushed to restore normal water flow and reduce the risk of increased pest infestation.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

US General Services Administration (GSA) on its website recommends: “Clean gutters of debris at least twice a year, especially if surrounded by large trees, in late fall after all leaves have fallen; and in late spring after all seed pods, flowers, etc. have fallen.”

This is generally good advice. However, there are specific circumstances where more frequent cleaning is required:

• After Storms and Tornadoes: Stormy weather will blow debris into the gutter channels and cause clogging and blockages. Gutter systems should be inspected after storms and cleaned if necessary.
• When Property is Surrounded by Trees: Where your home is located in close proximity to trees, especially if they overhang the roof, your gutters will require more frequent cleaning due to the increase in organic debris, such as leaves and twigs collected in the gutter channels.
• Nesting Animals: Where nesting animals such as birds, squirrels, and rodents are sighted in the guttering, immediate cleaning is advisable. Nesting animals introduce both nesting material and droppings into the gutter system, leading to blockages that must be removed by thorough cleaning. This is required to restore normal functionality and for sanitary reasons.
• Moss or Algae Growth: Moss and Algae accumulate quickly in guttering, especially in shaded and damp areas. Where moss or algae are detected, a thorough cleaning of the guttering system is advisable.

Is Standing Water Normal in Gutters?

No. Standing water is not normal in gutters. Gutters and downspouts are designed to channel rainwater from the roof and away from the foundation of the building. When gutter channels contain standing water, it indicates that the roof drainage system is impeded.

What Causes Standing Water in Gutters?

Blockages and clogging are a common cause of standing water in the gutter system, disabling its ability to discharge the rainwater effectively. Improper installation or inadequate pitch (also known as slope or angle)are also frequent causes of water accumulation in the system.

It’s vital that gutters are pitched at the right angle. Hunker.com, in it’s article titled, “How To Calculate Gutter Slope” States: “As a general rule, gutter slope is set at 1/2 inch per 10 feet of guttering”.

Can You Use a Pressure Washer to Clean Your Gutters?

Pressure washers can be used to clean guttering and downspouts. However, water under high pressure can damage guttering in the following ways:

• Aluminum and vinyl gutters are soft and are easily damaged. Care must be taken when using high-pressure water delivery systems to clean them.
• Gutter brackets, typically manufactured from galvanized steel or aluminum, can be bent or broken by the force of the water. The sealant used to seal the joints between gutter sections may be dislodged or loosened, causing the guttering to leak.
• The gutter’s protective coating may be degraded by the force of the water, making the metal beneath more susceptible to rust or corrosion. Professional gutter cleaning technicians understand how to clean the system without causing any of the damage described above!

What are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards (also known as leafguards, strainers and covers) are devices fitted over the gutter channel to prevent debris from entering the drainage system. They are designed to prevent blockages and clogging.

Are Gutter Guards Worth Installing?

Gutter guards are worth installing to reduce the risk of gutter clogging and blockages. However, they do introduce some unique problems. Gutter guards permit smaller debris to the system, so are not failsafe. They do not eliminate the need for gutter cleaning. Indeed, gutter guards require periodic cleaning. Gutter guards can complicate the gutter cleaning process, adding to time and cost.

What Types of Gutter Guards are Available?

• Screen gutter guards
• Mesh and Micro-mesh
• Reverse curve, also known as gutter helmets
• Brush
• Foam

Making Informed Gutter Maintenance Choices

6 Tips for Choosing the Right Gutter Cleaning Company.

1. Check the company has full liability insurance against damage to your property.
2. Ask what training and experience the gutter cleaning technicians have.
3. Ask what warranty policy the company offers.
4. Check online reviews and testimonials.
5. Ask what cancellation policy the company has. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you’ll want to know you’re covered.
6. Enquire about the equipment and techniques used by the company. Ensure they use modern equipment and cleaning methods to guarantee the best result.

Gutter Repair or Replacement – Can Gutters Be Repaired?

Yes, gutters can generally be repaired, providing their structural integrity hasn’t been compromised. Common gutter problems include:

• Leaking: Guttering often leaks due to cracked sealant, loose joints, or holes in the gutter material. Cracks and joints can be repaired with butyl rubber sealant or polyurethane sealant. Holes can be filled with an epoxy sealant.
• Clogging: Clogged gutters must be unclogged, flushed, and cleaned to restore normal flow.
• Sagging: Sagging guttering can usually be repaired by tightening of replacing gutter support brackets.

When Should You Replace Your Gutters?

Guttering typically has a lifespan of 20 years or more before replacement is required. However, this will vary depending on how well-maintained the roof drainage system has been over it’s lifetime. Visible signs of severe corrosion or rusting says it’s time for replacement. Large holes in the gutter material, severe warping, and sagging are also indicators that replacement is favored over repair. When deciding to replace guttering, always seek professional help on choosing the right gutter size, style, and material for your situation. Professional installation is also advised.