New homeowners often don’t take into consideration the maintenance cost of having trees around the property. The bigger and the closer the trees are to the home equates to more frequent gutter cleanings to keep everything flowing properly. If you are not able to clean the gutters out on your own, then the cost of those gutter cleaning services can start to add up. New homeowners going through a spring or fall season for the first time often ask themselves “Is Gutter Cleaning Worth It?” The short answer is yes, gutter cleaning is absolutely worth it in every way.
In this article My Gutter Doctor walks you through all of the potential damages caused when gutters are neglected and allowed to remain clogged. We also go over ballpark figures for the costs of these damages. Therefore you are able to compare the cost of yearly gutter cleanings with the costs of potential damages.
The purpose of gutter systems is to collect the rain water from the roof and safely channel it away from the home. In fact, gutters were created to prevent foundation erosion, basement leaks, and roofing eaves from taking on water damages.
Every spring and fall season trees drop leaves and other debris that end up on our roofs and eventually into our gutter systems. Homeowners that have trees in close proximity to the home are more than likely familiar with keeping up with gutter cleaning schedules. Season after season and year after year the leaves don’t seem to ever stop clogging up our gutter systems. The problems with these clogs is the water is not able to drain it causes many different types of damages.
Gutter cleaning is a very important part of home maintenance as it protects the home from water damages. Whenever water leaks or overflows from the gutters it causes different types of issues, depending on the situation. Neglecting your gutter system ultimately will lead to other much more expensive home repairs, that can be simply avoided by following proper gutter maintenance.
Gutter Full Of Debris Pulls Fascia Board and Soffit Loose From The Home
When gutters are knowingly allowed to remain clogged for extended periods of time (multiple seasons) we call that gutter neglect. The bad news about neglecting gutters is that it leads to much more expensive repairs.
Ignoring gutter maintenance by skipping out on gutter cleanings ultimately leads to problems with the gutter system. The most common problems caused by clogged gutters are loose gutters and gutters going out of pitch. Average costs to repair these types of issues can range anywhere from $150-$500 depending on how much gutter has come loose.
Gutter full of debris pulls loose from fascia board. Notice how the paint has wore off of the fascia from water exposure.
The eventual result of allowing gutters to remain full of water for extended periods of time is the fascia boards pulling loose and/or rotting. When the gutters become loose water goes behind the gutter which causes water damages to the wood. If left to go for long enough the boards rot and the gutters eventually will fall off of the home. The average cost of Fascia Board and/or Soffit Replacement to the home can range from $500 to $3,000 depending on how many areas need to be replaced.
Gutter full of heavy debris pulls loose from rotted fascia board.
Rotting fascia boards easily spreads to the roof rafters and roof deck boards. Allowing wet debris piles to linger in these areas also rapidly speeds up this process. The average cost of replacing roof rafters and/or roof deck boards can range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on how much wood is damaged.
Damages to the foundation occur when water is able to pour out too close to the home for extended periods of time. The average cost of repair foundation damages can range from $1,000 to $10,000 +.
Water leaking too close to the home also leads to leaks in the basement. The average cost of basement waterproofing services can range anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on the size of the basement.
When the water from leaking or overflowing gutters contacts the homes exterior, it leads to water stains and mold accumulation. To remove these stains a pressure washing service is needed. The average cost of pressure washing can range anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the size of the home.
The costs of pest infestations varies by what type of pest we’re talking about. To remove birds nest a simple gutter cleaning service is needed. However to keep birds from returning to the same gutters, the only solution is installing gutter covers to those gutters. Bees and wasps nest in or around the gutters will require a call to an exterminator. However if carpenter bees nest in your fascia boards you will need to replace them. Average cost for these services can range from $100 to $300.
Carpenter Bees and Mud Dauber (wasps) nest were hidden behind this fascia board section.
Gutter Cleaning Is Worth It because it prevents much more expensive repairs from occurring. Thousands upon thousands of dollars are saved by practicing proper gutter maintenance. Wood repairs are expensive repairs that should be avoided at all costs. Whatever your yearly gutter cleaning services cost you per year, is not going to compare to the money you are saving from these repairs.
Homes that require multiple gutter cleanings per year may be able to save money in the long run by installing gutter guards to their gutter systems. CLICK HERE to learn more about gutter guard installation.
Gutter Cleaning 101: Why Hiring A Professional Is Worth The Money by Patch
How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost? by Golden Hammer Gutters
What To Know About Cleaning Gutters by The Washington Post
The Importance Of Gutter Cleaning by Roof Right
Is Getting A Gutter Cleaner Worth It? by Gutter Ethics
Gutter Cleaning Cost: Is It Worth It? by Window Hero
What Time Of The Year Is Best For Gutter Cleaning? by My Gutter Doctor
Why Is Gutter Cleaning Important? by My Gutter Doctor
Why Birds Nest In Gutters by My Gutter Doctor
Is Spring Gutter Cleaning Necessary? by My Gutter Doctor
When To Clean Gutters In The Fall? by My Gutter Doctor
Fascia Board Rot by My Gutter Doctor
Gutter Drip: Causes & Solutions by My Gutter Doctor
Downspout Clog Prevention by My Gutter Doctor
Loose Gutter Spikes by My Gutter Doctor
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