As winter approaches, homeowners in Toronto should prepare their properties to handle the season’s rains and melting snow. A crucial step in winterizing your home is to clean and clear your eavestroughs of debris before the snow and rain set in. Here’s why:
Signs it’s Time for Eavestrough Cleaning
Before you even get into the dangers, it’s important to know when it’s time to schedule an eavestrough cleaning service. Some telltale signs your gutters need attention include:
- Seeing leaves, twigs or other debris accumulating in the troughs.
- Water is not draining properly after rainfall and pooling on your roof or near the foundation.
- Moss or algae growth is visible inside the gutter channels.
- Sagging or damaged eavestrough sections that no longer hold their shape.
Potential for Freezing
One of the biggest concerns with clogged eavestroughs in the winter is the potential for freezing. Water that gets trapped inside debris-filled gutters or downspouts is at risk of icing over during cold snaps. This can cause significant damage, such as cracked plastic gutters or detached eavestrough sections falling from rooftops. Keeping gutters clean ensures proper drainage before temperatures plunge below freezing.
Increased Risk of Falling or Hanging Low
Heavy snowfall places an immense amount of weight and pressure on eavestrough systems. Clogged gutters already filled with leaves and other organic debris have reduced capacity to handle additional weight. There’s a greater risk of entire gutter runs or downspout pieces pulling away from mounting points under the force of heavy snow or icicles. Homeowners then face expensive repair bills to reattach damaged gutters safely.
Potential Water Damage Concerns
When snow inevitably overwhelms gutters, there’s more chance of overflow and water damage near the foundation or under roof overhang areas. Clogs prevent steady drainage, and backwater can potentially seep into exterior woodwork or siding materials like stucco. This excess moisture trapped against your home allows mould or rot issues to develop unseen. Clean gutters promote barrier-free water flow away from the structure.
Safety Hazard Potential
Clogged eavestroughs or detached downspouts pose safety concerns due to their additional weight and reduced integrity. Heavy sections, chunks of ice, or entire gutter runs falling to the ground during freezing and thawing present real injury hazards. If gutters are destabilized, it becomes risky to shovel snow or walk near potential drop zones on your property. Removing debris protects against such unpredictable collapse scenarios.
Invest in Regular Eavestrough Cleaning
Homeowners protect their property and personal safety by scheduling eavestrough cleaning services at least twice per year with a company like Sparkle Window Cleaning. Our experienced technicians will remove leaves and other debris, inspect for any damages, and ensure your gutters are fully functional to drain water away from your home properly.
Professional cleanings right before and after winter ensure gutters stay clear of debris all season long. You avoid severe risks like flooding, damage to outdoor features, risk to landscaping and potential injury from unstable structures weighed down by snow and ice. Don’t face the dangers of clogged eavestroughs. Contact us today!