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Gutters are more fragile than they look. While gutters may not catch your attention until one of them has a problem, they’re carefully designed and installed to be able to support the weight and force of rushing water — that is, until they’re clogged and dirty. But dirty gutters are more than just an eyesore on your home. They’re a hazard. Here are three reasons why gutter cleaning is essential:

1. Clogged gutters encourage moldy growth and decay.

If you have trees anywhere near your home’s roofline, acorns, twigs, and sprouts will fall on your roof and bounce into your gutters. That, combined with soil, grime, and rainwater, can inexplicably take root in the crevices of your gutters. Even if you’re not bothered by the sprouts, algae, mold, and microplants will grow, too. This can spread from the gutters to the surrounding wood.

2. Clogged gutters are heavy and pull away from the eaves.

Gutters can only support so much weight for so long. Eventually, the soggy weight of leaves and twigs will tug the nails out of the fascia, leaving a gap or, even worse, making the length of unsupported gutter swing and sag. While these can be repaired and replaced, it’s much better practice to regularly clean your gutters and install guards that prevent the buildup of heavy matter.

3. Gutters exposed to too much moisture will rust and rot.

Aluminum gutters are painted with rust-resistant, protective paint or even powder-coated. But if water is regularly sitting on the surface of the gutters because dirt is clinging to the walls or because of a clog, that water will eventually find a weak spot in the protective seal. This will quickly lead to rust, even under the paint surface, that weakens the gutters.

If your gutters are clogged or just in need of a good cleaning, call the professionals at Patriot Services. We can get them cleaned and ready for the season ahead.