Gutter cleaning and gutter maintenance are an important part of building ownership. Your gutters are the collection system on the edge of your roof. They are designed to divert water that is running off your roof to downspouts. Without gutters, the water would run off your roof in curtains. Unfortunately, your gutters also collect debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt. If too much debris collects in your gutters, there is nowhere for the water to go and gutter cleaning becomes necessary. 

Gutters are the first line of defense against erosion of soil around your building’s foundation. A gutter system is supposed to carry running water off your roof to the downspouts so it does not saturate the soil next to your building. If this soil is saturated, then you run the risk of getting the foundation wet. A foundation exposed to water can lead to a multitude of problems. 

Gutters should be cleaned twice a year. You should complete this project in early spring (to clear out any left over ice and debris that has accumulated over the winter) and in late fall. Fall is perhaps the most important time of year to clean your gutters because leaves and debris gather the most during this time. Gutters need to be clear of debris before the melting snow of winter begins to prevent additional stress on the gutters and downspouts. 

Alpine Roofing Ltd. also offers a gutter protection system that consists of a foam insert. This material can be installed in a new or existing gutter system to minimize, or possibly eliminate gutter cleaning.