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PMG Maintenance
Gutter cleaning

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Why should gutters be cleaned?

Gutters and downspouts exist to evacuate rainwater away from around the roof and foundation of the home.

PMG Maintenance - Gutter cleaning Nettoyage de gouttières Ottawa Gatineau

When full of debris they cannot work properly and can cause problems (water leaks, etc.).

Should gutter guards be purchased?

Many products supposed to keep debris out of gutters exist on the market but none is really useful in most cases and gutter cleaning still needs to be performed regularly.

One problem with those products is that wet debris tend to stick to the top of the cover and rainwater cannot go in so it flows over the eavestroughs. They also tend to damage the edge of the roof in some cases and even increase risk of ice dam formation.

All gutters eventually need to be cleaned even if no trees surround the property as other debris such as asphalt shingle granules do accumulate with time.

If gutters are not cleaned before winter, the water trapped by debris will expand with freezing temperatures and this may cause damage to the gutter system.

Gutter cleaning helps decrease/avoid:

Water overflowing;
Gutters sagging from weight of debris and water;
Gutter damage from water in freezing temperatures;

Icicles;

Water leaks in the home;

Dampness in basement;

Landscaping eroding;

Damage to grass and shrubs;

Foul smells (decomposing vegetal and animal matter);

Stains from bacteria, mold, algae and moss on the roof;

PMG Maintenance - Roof cleaning Nettoyage de toiture Ottawa Gatineau

Black stains on gutter exterior;
Stains on siding;
Dirty windows;

Insect proliferation around property;

Other damage to the home like rotting fascia.

How frequently should gutters be cleaned?

This depends mostly on the trees present around the home.

Once a year (in the fall) is enough in most cases.

A second cleaning may be necessary in the spring or summer, especially if pine or maple trees are present in the vicinity (Pine needles or maple seeds).