Why Cleaning Gutters With Gutter Guards Is a Job for a Pro

Gutter cleaning is a job for the pros for all sorts of good reasons–safety, tools, know-how and time, for instance. However, on systems with gutter guards, it’s even more so because there are extra considerations like total gutter system weight.

What are gutter guards?

Gutter guards are an optional, additional system homeowners can choose to attach to their gutters. The idea behind them is that a sheet of mesh (typically), installed overtop of the gutter, will help keep debris out, thus reducing the chance of clogs happening within the gutters, as well the need to frequently clean them.

There’s a misconception that gutter guards eliminate the need for gutter cleaning altogether. As much as we wish that were true, it is, unfortunately, not so. Because, while they do keep large debris out, small bits still get inside the gutter and build up over time. And debris like small twigs and pine needles can stick into, or, pile up on top of the gutter guards themselves if not blown away adequately enough.

Gutter cleaning is for the pros

• Weight

• Safety

• Tools

• Knowledge

Weight

Gutter guards add more weight to the gutter system. But too much weight risks the whole thing detaching and/or falling off the building. So guards are chosen very carefully to ensure the whole system remains strong and stable. 

When cleaning in and around the guard system, the same kind of care must be taken not to add extra weight and destabilise it. Always Clean’s professional gutter cleaning technicians are aware of this issue and take special care throughout the entire cleaning process.

Additionally, just like with guardless gutters, gutters with guards should still be cleaned twice a year, in the spring and especially in the fall. You don’t want anything preventing free water flow when cold weather hits and ice forms. The extra weight from ice in the gutter system could cause it to separate from the fascia or bring it all crashing down. Additionally, blockages in your gutters make it more likely you’ll see water and ice damage done to your roof.

Safety

Thousands of people fall off ladders annually in Canada. Some of those people die. In B.C. alone, there were over a thousand WorkSafeBC claims in 2019, among them 325 serious injuries and 4 deaths. Climbing a ladder is a genuine risk and should only be done with appropriate safety training and proper equipment. Multiple-story windows make this even more critical.

So if you’re going to take the risk and clean your gutters yourself, be aware of best practices for use of ladders and protect yourself. Or hire a professional to assume the risk. Always Clean Maintenance technicians are trained in proper gutter cleaning techniques, ladder safety, WorkSafe Fall Safe Protection and the proper use of a safety harness. We get the job done while protecting ourselves and your property.

Tools

Proper tools make a big difference. Cleaning gutters becomes much safer, easier, more efficient, and more effective. Your gutters will be working at peak performance, just as you need them to be. Plus, they will look amazing from the outside too. We use high quality detergents and a pressure washer set to the correct pressure for the material your gutters are made out of. This helps ensure that no denting or other damage will occur, and they will be left looking pristine.

Additionally, getting your gutters cleaned ideally twice a year falls in line with the recommended timeline for pressure washing building exteriors as well. As long as the cleaners are there, why not get both done at the same time? Give your home a beautiful facelift.

Knowledge

It might not seem like it, but there’s a lot to know about gutter cleaning. For instance, there are different types of gutter guards and each has its own cleaning and maintenance specifications and well as its own warranty.

Gutters themselves can be made out of vinyl, aluminum, wood, copper, or steel. Each of these materials requires different considerations for cleaning in order to avoid damaging them.

Our Always Clean Maintenance teams have expert knowledge acquired through years of experience and specialised training. We know what we’re doing. Our technicians clean gutters quickly and efficiently with little-to-no disruption to the homeowner. And we take care of the mess too! This includes protecting your bushes and flowers below and carting away the goop we clear from your gutters. Aside your like-new, freely running gutter system, you won’t even know we were there.

Gutter cleaning is a messy, dangerous, time-consuming task that no one really wants to do. And gutter guards are a complicating factor that just adds more time and requires more diligence. 

Yes you can choose to do the job yourself and accept potentially life-altering risk. If you don’t have the right tools it may take you several weekends to finish the task, and/or you may accidentally cause additional damage or problems that weren’t there when you started. You may save some money.

But your time and peace-of-mind is important and valuable! Hire a professional to get the job done quickly and worry-free. 

Always Clean Maintenance loves to make things clean! Exteriors: gutters, retaining walls, windows, sidewalks; you name it, we’ll clean it. Give us a call for a free quote! 604-789-1256