The Right Way to Deal With Common Gutter Clogs at Home

Unclogging your gutters can be bothersome, tiring and dangerous even if you have the right safety equipment. But as a homeowner, you’re well aware of how important it is to keep your gutters clean and maintained especially during the colder months. It’s usually better to let the professionals handle the job for you to ensure your safety and well-being.

It also helps to know what usually causes clogged gutters so that you’ll know how to deal with them later on. Our roofing and seamless gutter experts at Deschutes Roofing share some of the most common ones below:

Nearby Trees

Having trees lining your property may seem nice, but if they have branches that hang over your roof, you can expect to have fallen leaves and small twigs throughout the year. They’ll shed even more leaves during the autumn season so it becomes tedious to clean on your own. The best way to prevent the debris from clogging your gutters is with gutter guards, but this won’t always be enough. When the need arises, hire a professional roofer to clear out the debris on your roof to ensure it stays clean throughout the winter season.

Debris, Muck and Sludge

You’ve likely seen this type of debris stuck on your gutters and sometimes on your roof. Muck and sludge are slimy black materials made of a rotten mixture of broken-down branches and leaves. It can also consist of animal carcasses that were unlucky enough to get stuck in your gutters and downspouts. Muck and sludge are also capable of causing rotting damage on your roof’s edges.

If left unaddressed, these can affect your gutters and downspouts over time as they prevent them from directing the water runoff properly. On the other hand, they’re also regarded as organic matter that can be useful in a compost pile. Otherwise, they should be cleaned off your seamless gutters and disposed of properly.

Common Birds and Other Small Creatures

Birds and squirrels can become attracted to your gutters especially if they see small branches, leaves and other accumulated debris. They’ll use the debris to build their nests, which is typically at a nearby tree. However, some birds may decide to build their home directly on your gutters, and the only way to deter them from doing this is to have them cleaned regularly.

When it comes to top-notch gutter and roofing repairs, Deschutes Roofing offers the best services in the area!

Call us at (541) 241-5720 if you’re in Bend, (503) 967-9590 if you’re from Portland, (541) 246-6860 if you’re in Eugene, (503) 468-7663 if you’re in Lake Oswego, or (503) 928-8750 if you’re from Beaverton. You can also fill out our convenient online form.