Gutters are your home’s primary defense against rain and water damage. When gutters start to clog and sag, they can put your home’s roof, walls, and foundation at risk.

As your gutter specialists in Maryland, we highlight common signs your gutters are clogged and need professional cleaning.

1. Water is spilling over the sides

Gutters are designed to direct runoff from rainstorms and snowmelt from your roof to a designated drainage area.

When gutters are clogged, the opposite happens. Water is forced to run over the sides of your gutters instead of flowing through them. This results in costly water-related problems such as basement flooding.

The next time it’s raining, keep an eye on where the water’s flowing. Excess water spilling over the edges is a clear sign that you need professional gutter cleaning.

2. Gutter channels begin to sag

All types of debris can settle in your gutters over time. The excess weight of dirt, sticks, leaves, twigs, pine needles and roofing materials can make gutter channels sag and pull away from your home.

Once the debris is eliminated, you may be able to reshape or re-attach the gutters to safeguard your home. In cases of severe roofing damage, you may need to replace your gutters entirely.

3. Birds and pests reside around the gutters

Clogged gutters offer a convenient and safe haven for pests, birds, rodents, insects, and other wild animals. The warmth and moisture created by decaying leaves and debris make gutters an ideal nesting spot.

Pests can spread or trigger a variety of health risks. Infectious diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease, and Zika virus can be carried by mosquitoes, rodents, and other animals.

Similarly, ants and termites are silent destroyers that can cause severe damage to the foundation of your house. They can also ruin wooden structures such as furniture and can cause ceilings and floors to collapse.

Ignoring clogs puts your home at risk for damage and pest infestation. Regular gutter maintenance can help you get rid of pests before they cause damage to your home. You can also install a gutter protection system to prevent debris from building up and attracting pests. Both solutions are a lot cheaper than hiring a pest control professional or replacing your roof completely.

4. Icicles appear during winter

Icicles can look beautiful, but they’re extremely dangerous, too. Large, falling icicles can put you at risk of broken bones and serious bruises. They can also be a sign that your gutters are clogged.

Icicles form when your gutters are blocked by debris, causing excess water to back up and settle on your roof. Icicles and ice dams in your gutters can also loosen shingles, tear off your gutters, and cause water to back up and work its way into your home.

Keep your gutters in pristine condition

For gutters to function properly, they must be kept clear of any dirt or debris buildup. At G.H. Clark, we offer professional gutter cleaning services and gutter protection systems in Maryland.

To know more about our gutter solutions, visit our showroom in Prince Frederick or contact us for a no-pressure quote today.

More consumers are relying on gutter protection products to help them with gutter maintenance and cleaning. While products like gutter guards are considered helpful, it’s worth noting that they will not eliminate the need to clean your gutters.

Sooner or later, you’ll have to check and clean your gutter system so it can continue to function well. If you recently installed a rain gutter or are planning to get gutter protection in Maryland, here’s a brief guide on how you can properly maintain and clean them.

Why Cleaning Your Gutter is Important

A gutter system prevents rainwater from building up on your roof. Having a dirty or inefficient gutter can cause water to seep through your roof, walls, landscape, and even the foundation of your house.

Gutter protection systems help reduce the number of times you have to clean your gutters, but they, too, will eventually get clogged. That is why you should always get your gutters cleaned at least twice a year.

Here are some other reasons you should always get your gutter cleaned.

Water Damage

Water buildup can cause untold damage to your home over time. Even slight water stagnation can seep through the building structure and weaken it. Clogged gutters are usually the cause of leakage and ice dams if your roof has shingles.

Your house’s foundation can also suffer due to water buildup. If water overflowing from the roof spills over to the ground, it seeps down to the foundation and weakens it. Over time, the foundation will start showing cracks and become a threat to the entire structure of your house.

Breeding Ground for Pests

Clogged and poorly maintained gutters make the perfect home for various pests like:

• Insects (Bees, Hornets, and Wasps)
• Wood-destroying insects (Termites)
• Rodents
• Opossums
• Mosquitoes

If left to their own devices, these pests will eventually make your gutters their breeding ground and continue to torment you or your family. They can also bring diseases, especially mosquitoes.

Dirty and water-soaked gutters may cause your roof’s fascia boards to rot quickly. When these boards weaken and decay, they provide pests with direct access to your home.

Shorter Lifespan and Higher Expense

Not all gutters and gutter protection products are equal. Some, like foam guards, can quickly rot, while metallic gutters can easily corrode and rust. Depending on the type of gutter protection you have, the lack of maintenance can significantly shorten your gutter’s lifespan.

Structural water damage, roof repairs, and seepage caused by clogged gutters can also lead to expensive repairs. For example, the average cost of water damage repair may reach $3,000, while roof repair can net you around $900.

Clogged and dirty gutters are financial time bombs that can be prevented simply through routine maintenance.

Professional Gutter Cleaning Services

One of the easiest ways to clean your home’s rain gutters is by hiring a professional gutter cleaning service. Hiring professional cleaners is perfect for those who do not have the proper tools and staff to carry out the maintenance tasks.

Here are some other benefits of working with gutter cleaning professionals:

• Helps you avoid accidents: Cleaning rain gutters can be dangerous work as it requires you to use a ladder and work on the roof. By bringing in experts, you keep yourself safe from potential accidents. If you do not have any experience or confidence to clean the gutters yourself, it’s safer to leave the work to the professionals.
• Gets quick results: With experience comes efficiency. Professional gutter cleaners do it for a living every single day. Delegating the task of cleaning your rain gutters to them will get the job done quickly.
• Knows the intricacies of the job: Gutter maintenance may involve more than just removing leaves and debris. Professionals know exactly where to find clogs and notice any potential issues with the gutter system, like leaks or corrosion. They also know how to deal with pests that have settled in your gutter.

Hiring professionals can cost anywhere from $75 to $350. Nationwide, the average price is $150, but it depends on the extent and nature of the job. Pricing is generally calculated by square feet or linear feet.

Most gutter cleaning service prices can run from $0.50 to $1.50 per linear foot. You can measure the house’s perimeter to get a rough idea of how many linear feet your home has and how much it will cost you.

Price Considerations When Hiring Professional Gutter Cleaners

While there’s generally an average price for getting your gutters professionally cleaned, several factors affect the price. Your roof’s height and size are two of them.

If your home is a 2- or 3-story structure, the gutter cleaning company may need to use tall ladders and specialized safety equipment like harnesses to get the job done. It will cost significantly higher compared to single-level homes.

Houses close to pine and evergreen trees may also be a little expensive than homes further away from the foliage. That’s because some companies charge higher depending on how hard it is to remove leaves, needles, branches, and other debris from gutters.

The presence of gutter guards is also a factor. If the gutter protection system did its job, it would be easier for the cleaners to remove the debris. It can help you avoid any additional fees.

However, if the gutter guards are damaged and make it harder for the cleaning company to remove debris, you can expect to pay more for the service.

Getting bids is the best way to know how much you might pay for having your gutters cleaned. It’s common to get estimates from at least two or three companies, compare the prices, and choose which one can get the job at the right price.

Properly Cleaning Cleaning Gutters Yourself

It may be easier to get your gutters cleaned by professionals, but it’s not impossible to do it on your own. You’ll need to be familiar with specific tools, though, and be healthy enough to do some climbing.

Check out the following gutter maintenance guide to help you clean your gutters safely and successfully.

Always Keep Ladder Safety in Mind

Over 500,000 people fall from ladders every year, and 97% of them happen at home. Never underestimate the dangers posed by a simple ladder. On single-story houses, most ladders are generally 14 feet above the ground. Any additional story or level after that is another 14 feet, which is a very precarious height to work in.

When working on ladders, keep the following best practices in mind:

• 20-foot ladders are the best choice when working on most houses with one or two levels.
• Inspect the ladder for signs of defects before using it.
• Place the ladder at the proper angle, which is usually equal to one-fourth of the working length.
• Secure the locks and tie off the ladder at the base before climbing.
• Never stand on the top three rungs.
• Always watch out for power line hazards when moving and placing ladders.
• Never work on a ladder on your own. Always have someone to look out for you.

Use Protective Gear

Apart from using a ladder correctly, wearing the right protective gear will keep you safe as you clean. Consider using shoes with rubber non-slip soles to provide enough grip, especially if you need to climb onto the roof.

Use gloves for extra grip on the rungs and protection against debris. Latex-coated cloth gloves are a favorite among professionals because they can provide safety and grip without sacrificing mobility.

Consider wearing some form of eye protection as well. It should prevent any debris from entering or falling into your eyes and help you prevent falls by preserving your vision.

Cleaning the Gutters

Cleaning your rain gutters requires two things: a long garden hose and a gutter scoop. Using these two tools, you should be able to clean and remove most types of debris. It’s also possible to buy a cleaning solution for gutters, but you can make one by mixing equal parts of chlorine bleach and water.

1. Always choose a cloudy day with mild temperatures. Working on a sunny day can tire you faster, and sunlight can temporarily blind you while working. Working on rain and snow is a slip hazard, which can be extremely dangerous when you’re on a ladder.
2. Cleaning the gutters is easy. Using a gutter scoop, remove the majority of the debris from the trough. If there are any clogs, a few gentle poking and scooping should loosen them up.
3. Turn on the garden hose and blast water onto the gutter trough and downspout. It will help get rid of smaller debris. If you notice the water backing up or coming out slowly on the other end of the downspout, that is a sign of clogging.
4. If you believe a clog is present inside the downspout, try tapping it from top to bottom. Doing so should help knock and loosen the debris. If tapping isn’t enough, you can suck out the debris from below using a wet and dry vacuum.

Gutter Maintenance Is Worth the Effort 

Maintaining and cleaning your rain gutters can be a challenge, but you are never without options. With the right gear and mindset, it’s possible to clear the gutters yourself. But the best—and safest—option is still to work with professionals. With a bit of commitment and care, you can help your gutters perform better and continue their job of protecting the integrity of your home.

G.H. Clark Contractors offers professional gutter-related services like installation, repair, replacement, gutter protection, and cleaning. If you are looking for a company to help you clean your gutters, contact us today for a free, no-pressure estimate. Our experts are more than ready to look into your concern.

Your home’s drainage system relies on your gutters and if they are not working well, your entire property will suffer.

Luckily, rain gutters are able to be upgraded and replaced to fit your needs.

Do you know what you need to look for when you’re choosing new rain gutters? Have you never bought rain gutters before and don’t even know what you need to look for?

If this sounds like you, this article will dive deep into what you need to know about rain gutters and how to choose the type that works for your home.

What to Consider When Buying Rain Gutters

Before you can choose the best rain gutters for your home, you have to think about four things:

1. Size
2. Material
3. Style
4. Seam

Gutter Size

Most rain gutters are the same, standard size. Your gutters are going to likely be either 5-inch or 6-inch. The difference is not significant, but the bigger option holds more water.

You want to look at your house’s roof before you choose the gutter size. It is possible you may need a customized option.

A majority of roofs, however, will need either 5-inch gutters or 6-inch gutters.

Common Gutter Materials

While you will generally choose this before anything else, it generally comes after you get the size requirements for your house. After all, those cannot be changed!

The material you choose is going to depend on several factors, but it mostly comes down to the pros and cons of the most common options.

Rain gutters are usually made of (in no particular order):

1. Vinyl
2. Copper
3. Aluminum

You can also find other types, like steel or wood, but let’s discuss these three more commonly used gutter materials in more detail.

Vinyl Gutters

The biggest benefit of buying vinyl gutters is that they are less expensive. It doesn’t require a lot of skills to install this type of gutter either because it is lightweight.

One of the disadvantages of having vinyl gutters is that they may need replacing more often because they are not as durable as other options.

Copper Gutters

While copper gutters are more expensive, they are more appealing to the eye, are strong and will last for a long time, and can be seamless.

The cons of this option are that the installation process can be difficult and this may be expensive (as a separate cost to actually buying the gutters themselves).

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters are not as cheap as vinyl or as expensive as copper. These will last for a long time and are easy to install, but they also have the option to be seamless.

The cons of choosing aluminum gutters are that they are sensitive to changes in temperature and you’ll likely need to repaint them more often.

Gutter Style Options

There are generally two types of gutter styles: half-round (u-shaped) and k-style.

Half-Round or U-Shaped

This is a common gutter style that was used in the past. Even today, however, you will still find this on homes, but it is not as popular as the k-style.

One reason it is less popular is that it will not hold water when it is not supposed to and this can cause problems. Another reason is that it actually is more expensive than k-style.

The installation process for this type of gutter style is more costly because it is more complicated and therefore needs the help of a professional.

People still like this gutter style, however, because it is very unique and stylish in its appearance.

K-Style

This gutter style looks like the letter “K” and has a straight side linked with a curved side.

There are actually several advantages to choosing this style, but most notably, it is less expensive, holds water well, doesn’t break easily, and can come in a variety of colors.

Sectional Gutter or Seamless Gutter

Sectional gutters are the more common option and they are made by connecting several small pieces together to make one system.

Sectional gutters are not as pretty to look at, but they cost less and can work for a long time if they are installed correctly and made from quality materials.

If you choose to get a do-it-yourself gutter system, it will be sectional. The sections are usually about 10-feet long and they will snap in place.

Seamless gutters are another option and they are made with just one large piece. A benefit of a seamless system is that they are less likely to leak because there are no seams and this makes it visually more appealing.

It’s important to note that seamless gutters are almost always going to be made of either aluminum, copper, or steel because of the way they are designed.

Upgrade or Replace Your Gutters Today

You may be wondering what the best rain gutters to buy are and the answer depends on what you need and what you are looking for.

If you’re looking to be more price-conscious or are more concerned about the appearance than anything else, the perfect gutters for you will be different than someone else with a different priority.

There is no single answer for each person about which rain gutters are the best out there, but with this guide, you may be able to narrow down your choices a little more before making a purchase.

If you’re in Calvert County and need help with your roof, contact us today about getting an estimate.

Owning a home comes with more ups than downs. Some of the downs include paying of pricey repairs and perform tedious housework such as cleaning the gutters.

While it’s a task dreaded by many, it’s necessary to get it done. Failure to perform the proper gutter maintenance means you could be putting your home at risk.

Read on for reasons why you should perform regular gutter maintenance.

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Cleaning the Gutters

Cleaning out the gutters might not seem like an important job, however, neglecting to do so can have serious consequences.

Here are 7 reasons why you should never neglect cleaning out your gutters:

1. Your Property Can Suffer Structural Damage

It might seem like clogged and dirty gutters are nothing more than a few dirty leaves and debris. The truth is dirty gutters can make more extensive damage than you may know.

Damaged gutters can cause shifts in the foundation, erosion in the soil, flooding in the basement, cracks in the walls and more.

The siding of your house might also be prone to rotting and water damage which can expand to the walls and windows.

2. You Might Have to Deal With Pests

If you don’t maintain your gutters, you could be unaware of the pests you’re bringing in.

The debris that fills the gutters often provides a humid and inviting environment for pests such as mice, squirrels, mosquitos, and even birds.

Unfortunately, these pests don’t stay on the outside of the home. Damaged gutters often cause cracks and holes in the walls, which can create a perfect nest for pests.

Not only will you be repairing the damage from the gutters, but you will also have to call the exterminator.

3. Exposing Your Family to Allergies and Illnesses

Debris plus humidity and water equal mold and even higher pollen counts. The mold and pollen counts will make it more difficult for your family to breathe.

It might even worsen or develop allergies. Make sure you stay alert if you notice any signs of mold developing in your home.

4. Damage to the Roof Can be Expensive

As we mentioned in previous points, clogged gutters can cause damage to the foundation, but they can also cause damage to the roof.

If the roof gets damaged, the price tag could be a lot to handle for any homeowner.

By not cleaning your gutters, you put them at risk for ice dams on the roof and other problems. Depending on how extensive the damage is, you might have to
replace the entire roof.

You should also know most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover this type of damage.

5. Dirty Gutters are Not Pretty to Look at

Your home is your pride and joy, which is why you always want to make sure it looks the best.

Dirty and clogged gutters will not help your home’s curb appeal. Not cleaning your gutters means it will start to look dirty and everyone who visits your home will notice.

If you wait until the damage is extensive, it will look as if you don’t care about the house. It might even bring down the value of the home if you plan on selling it in the near future.

It’s easy to avoid your house from looking neglected by doing a little gutter clean up.

6. Your Could be Voiding the Warranty

If you had a new roof installed in the last few years or any other type of work done to the outside of the home, you could be jeopardizing the warranty.

Most companies will put a clause in the contract stating you have to take care of the gutters or they will void the warranty.

7. You Could be Inviting Water Damage

The purpose of the gutters is to have a channel that takes the water away from your home protecting the structure. If the gutters are dirty or clogged, it means the water won’t be able to flow freely when it rains.

Instead of flowing through the gutters as intended, the water will overflow and damage your house.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

After you realize the importance of not putting off cleaning your gutters, you might be wondering how often you need to do so.

The good news is you don’t have to get on a ladder and clean your gutters every day. Professionals recommend you clean your gutters two times a year — in the spring and the fall.

However, you might need to clean your gutters more often depending on the place where you live. If you live in a house surrounded by trees, you should clean your house a bit more often.

You might have to also clean the gutters more often if you live in a climate that freezes in the winter. The water might not have a way to flow after it unfreezes if the gutters are not clean.

Can You Clean the Gutters Yourself?

It is possible to clean the gutters yourself if you’re on a budget or you like to do housework. If you decide to do it yourself, here are a few ways you can do it.

You can clean out the gutters by using a leaf blower. Before you start using the leafblower, make sure you take the precaution of using gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.

Get a gutter cleaning kit from your local home improvement store, which can attach to the leafblower.

You can also clean it by hand using a gutter scoop or trowel. Keep a bucket nearby so you can dispose of the debris.

If you prefer to have a professional clean the gutters, we can take care of it for you.

Gutter Maintenance: The Bottom Line

Now that you know the importance of gutter maintenance, it’s time you take care of business. Neglected gutters can cause water damage, roof damage, structural issues, and an unsightly home.

Are you ready to take care of your gutters? If so, contact us at G.H. Clark Contractors for a free gutters estimate.

Have you noticed that your gutters don’t seem to be functioning as well as they once were?

Are you concerned about the potential damage that clogged and outdated gutter systems could cause to your Southern Maryland home?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you need to keep on reading this article.

In it, we’ll tell you everything that you need to know about why hiring a professional gutter cleaning service matters. Then, we’ll tell you some of the biggest signs that it’s time to work with a professional.

Why You Need A Gutter Cleaning Service

First, let’s examine some of the biggest reasons why hiring a professional gutter cleaning service in Southern Maryland is such a crucial part of maintaining your home.

Then, we’ll take a look at some of the most common signs that your gutters are in need of a little extra attention.

1. You’ll Protect Your Landscaping

You’ve worked hard to create the front and back yards of your dreams. You water your flower beds, mow your lawn, and always do what you can to prevent pests and animals from ruining them.

One threat to your landscaping that may not be as obvious?

Clogged and ineffective gutters.

If you don’t take the time to clean them, water can actually run out over the sides and onto your garden. This causes both your plants and your grass to drown from overwatering.

2. You Can Prevent Roof Damage

Another reason why you should hire a Southern Maryland gutter cleaning service?

Because proper gutter maintenance can help to prevent damage to your roof. Clogged and old gutters won’t be able to do much to stop the water from pooling, which can put extra weight on your roof.

Additionally, it can begin to cause the roof to rot.

If you want to avoid the expense of a new roof (and we’re sure you do)? Always make it a point to regularly clean your gutters.

3. You’ll Keep Brackets And Fascia Functioning

Another reason why regular gutter maintenance is so important?

Because it will prevent you from having to replace the fascia within your gutter system. Improperly functioning fascia can reduce the overall effectiveness of your gutters.

Clean gutters also help to prevent the brackets from carrying too much weight, which will keep everything working properly.

Signs It’s Time To Call A Gutter Cleaning Service

Now that you know why it’s so important to get in touch with a gutter cleaning service in Southern Maryland? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest signs that you shouldn’t delay in hiring one.

1. You Notice Sagging

If your gutters are sagging and look weighted down? Then it’s likely a sign that water has started to pool inside of the gutters, likely due to a pileup of debris. In some cases, there may even be a bird or another animal nesting inside your gutters!

While you may be able to clean your gutters if you act quickly enough, too much of a delay could lead to a need for replacement.

2. Your Gutters Are Separating From Your Roof

Another sign it’s time to get in touch with a gutter cleaning service?

If you notice that your gutters have started to actively pull away from your roof. You may realize that the fasteners (the metal that connects your gutters to your roof) are starting to break or fall off.

In some cases, you might even spot nails and screws in your yard, underneath your gutters.

This could also be a sign that the fascia boards of the gutters have started to rot. In this case, you may need a gutter replacement.

3. Your Basement Has Flooded

You might not expect a flooded basement to be caused by faulty gutters, but this is one of the most common causes of pools of water underneath your home.

If you’ve spotted this, it’s especially important to act quickly. This is because the water leaking into your basement can quickly damage and even erode the foundation of your home.

Plus, wet wood is a haven for termites and other pests that can threaten the overall structural integrity of your home.

4. Your Home’s Paint Is Peeling

While a little bit of peeling paint is certainly normal for your home?

If you start to notice large swatches of paint that are peeling or missing, excessive runoff from your gutters is likely to blame.

This happens because your gutters have started to separate and pull away from your roof. So, the excess water actually runs through the gaps between your gutter and home, causing serious water damage.

If your paint is peeling, then this has been a problem for quite some time already.

Need To Hire A Professional Gutter Cleaning Service in Southern Maryland?

We hope that this post has helped to educate you not only on the signs that you need to work with a professional gutter cleaning service, but also why it’s important to do so.

In general, you should make it a point to clean your gutters at least two times a year. Be aware that, especially if you live in an area that sees severe storms, you may need to do so at the start of every season.

Looking for gutter cleaning professionals in Southern Maryland that you can trust?

If so, then get in touch with our incredible team at G.H. Clark for a free, no-obligation estimate.

You’ve spent a lot of time and money investing in your home. Let us help you to protect it and keep it looking its best.