In a city that experiences four seasons, like Cincinnati, lots of homeowners ask how often they need to clean their gutters and what time of year is best. For standard gutters, the answer is typically twice per year in the spring and fall. These answers are relatively intuitive and confirmed by most experts.

Why Clean Gutters in the Fall

The rationale for cleaning your gutters in autumn is that leaves tend to fall en masse from late September through early November. While gutters can be clogged by all kinds of debris, the most common issue is a large amount of dead leaves. Additionally, it is important to clean your gutters before winter. If gutters are backed up with resting water, they will likely expand when the first freeze comes. Depending on the amount of water this can permanently damage or break your gutters.  The cycle of freezing and thawing can build ice dams that are likely to

Why Clean Gutters in the Spring

If you missed your chance to clean your gutters before winter then you definitely want to clean them in early spring.  In most places, spring gets the most rainfall. Consequently, if there is a problem with your gutters being backed up then you’re going to find out very quickly in the rainy months. Spring also has its own share of debris like leaves, twigs, and pollen which can contribute to gutter issues. If you’re on the recommended schedule of cleaning your gutters twice per year, then you should consider fall (before the first freeze) and late spring so that they are clean all summer and ready for the barrage of autumn leaves.

Clean Gutters Less Often with Gutter Guards

If you find cleaning your gutters to be a hassle then it is usually affordable to hire professionals to clean them for you, but twice per year can become expensive. As an alternative to constant cleaning, you can consider installing gutter guards.  When properly installed they reduce the effort required in cleaning and in most cases reduce the frequency of cleaning. To learn more read our top 5 Reasons to Install Gutter Guards.

If you need new gutter, gutter guard, or even a consultation about your gutter situation then contact EMA Construction today for a free estimate.

One of the services that we offer at EMA Construction is gutter guard installation. Our professional installers use the best available products to protect your gutters and home.  But some people may still wonder, do you really need gutter guards?  Here are the top five reasons that you should install gutter guards in your home!

1. Gutter Guards Reduce the Cost and Frequency of Cleaning

For most homeowners, a bi-annual gutter cleaning is recommended which costs around $160 per session.  This is a total of $320 per year to clean your existing gutters. Gutter guard cleaning is much simpler than gutter cleaning and no gutter guard system requires bi-annual cleaning. Most homeowners find that cleaning gutter guards once per year or once every other year is sufficient to keep them working properly.

2. Gutter Guards Prevent Water Damage Inside and Outside of Your Home

Overflowing gutters can create all sorts of problems for homeowners.  Heavy rain combined with clogged gutters can lead to flood basements, mold buildup in your siding or insulation, or even damage landscaping from large bodies of resting water. If you’ve ever dealt with water issues in your home then you know that water can find its way anywhere.  A healthy gutter system directs the water so it will only go where it is designed to and gutter guards are the best way to keep your gutter system healthy.

3. Prevent Animal, Critter, and Insect Infestation

Nesting animals like rats and birds frequently use gutters as a place to set up their nest. In addition to their nests creating problems, their droppings can also clog your system.  Insects like wasps and ants can also find their way into your gutters. Gutter guards help to prevent animals from using your gutters as a nesting area and can reduce their access to your roof.

4. Reduce the Likelihood of Fire.

This one may surprise some people!  Debris from trees (leaves and twigs) can accumulate in your gutters and downspouts.  Left untreated these can be a fire hazard. An outdoor bonfire or even a barbecue may create the conditions for dried-up debris to catch fire.  This is not only a risk for places that have an elevated risk of wildfires, but places like Cincinnati and Dayton can have long stretches of dry heat in the summer that create the right conditions for a fire.

5. Reduce Ice Dam Formation

One of the disadvantages of Cincinnati’s four seasons is that in the summer the gutters can be at risk of fire and our winters can create freezing problems.  Winter is hard on gutters. Water accumulates in them when they’re clogged. When freezing temperatures come, that resting water can free and cause ice dams to form. Ice dams can lead to water damage in your home or roof not to mention the damage to your gutter system. Gutter guards, installed properly, significantly reduce ice dam formation.

There are more reasons to consider, but those five are the top reasons to consider investing in your home with a gutter guard system. The upfront cost can create a little sticker shock for some folks, but it is important to remember that you’ll save an average of $320 per year on gutter cleaning. Others are tempted to install their own gutter guards, but there is nothing worse than a big investment negated by faulty installation.  Instead, get a free estimate from EMA Construction on your gutter guard installation and get the most from your money and the best protection for your home!