The autumn season provides perfect conditions for a variety of outdoor activities such as football, golf, tennis, fall festivals, and apple picking. However, residents of Atlanta may also need to consider gutter cleaning. If you prefer not to handle the task yourself, there are options available such as installing a contemporary gutter system to prevent build-up, or hiring a professional and insured gutter cleaning service. But before doing so, it's important to understand why gutter cleaning is necessary.
Why Take Time for Gutter Cleaning in Atlanta?
When debris accumulates in your gutters, it can lead to water seeping into areas that can cause damage to wood, shingles, basements, and even inside walls and ceilings. Repairing this damage can be quite costly..
It is important to prevent clogged gutters in order to save money. When gutters become clogged, they can become heavy and pull away from the soffit where they are attached with nails. While gutter spikes can be hammered back in, there is a greater risk of them pulling out again whenever the gutter fills with water. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to re-attach the entire gutter with screws, although this can be a costly solution.
Gutters that are free-flowing are essential in directing rainwater away from your home and foundation, preventing any potential damage.
During the summer, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that stagnant water in gutters can attract mosquitoes. These insects can be annoying, but they are also known for spreading the West Nile Virus. [1]
Cleaning vs. Gutter Guards
Maintaining clean gutters in Atlanta can be a challenging task due to the abundance of trees in the area, resulting in a heavy leaf fall. Every year, the installation of guards to prevent leaves from accumulating in gutters becomes a hot topic.
Gutter guard systems come in several basic types:
Screens,
Fine mesh screen
Surface tension caps
Foam or brush inserts and
Hybrid systems.
All are effective to some degree at keeping leaves out of your gutters. The problems come with the small seeds, pods and especially pine needles that penetrate and allow organic matter to build up inside. It seems gutters with guards all still require some gutter cleaning.
Best Solutions for Pine Needles and Other Debris
If you live in Atlanta, you may have noticed that the loblolly pines in the area shed a lot of pine needles, which can cause clogs in your gutters. These needles can get stuck in foam and brush inserts, and when they start to rot, they can make your gutters look unsightly. While screens and inserts are an affordable option for gutter guards, they are not very effective against high winds and squirrels.
According to a research study conducted by "Consumer Reports" in September 2010, fine mesh screen gutter systems are the best at blocking debris while still allowing rainwater to flow through. Screen systems are the next best option, followed by surface tension and other types of gutter guards. However, it's important to note that fine mesh screen systems can be more expensive than regular screens. If cost is a concern, you may want to explore alternative options.
Gutter guards vs. DIY vs. Professional Gutter Cleaning?
Before you invest, it's worth estimating and comparing the value of hiring professional gutter cleaners vs. doing the work yourself vs. purchasing an installed gutter guard system.
Additional benefits of professional gutter cleaning are:
Safety: Your family members are not at risk climbing a ladder. Professional services like Sunshine are bonded and insured for any accidents that might occur on your premises and our teams are trained for safety.
Time: A typical professional team of two, equipped with ladders, ropes and harnesses can perform this service much more efficiently than the typical homeowner, leaving you time to enjoy the beautiful fall weekends.
Inspection of difficult to reach areas: service workers will notice and report problems with your roof, will re-attach gutters if drooping, and will let you know about any issues that need the attention of a roofer or carpenter.
Keeping your gutters clean is a crucial seasonal task in Atlanta to maintain the value of your home. If you need any help on the best way to get your gutters cleaned, feel free to call our team of professionals at 770-609-4046. We will be happy to assist you.
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