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What Might Be Lurking In Your Gutter?

There are lots of things that get trapped in our homes gutter, from leaves to twigs and even rocks – they all land on to our roof and get carried to the gutter as the rainwater washes them down your drain pipe.

Did you know that there may be creepy crawlies hiding in your gutters? Here we explain what else you may find..

As we already know things like twigs, leaves and debris can become clogged in our gutters when left uncleaned, when left too long this makes a great home for critters and pests such as mice and other rodents. This is especially the case in winter when mice are seeking somewhere warm to stay.

Just like mice birds also find a home in piles of leaves – making an excellent choice for nesting. With birds you can find that they cause more of a disruption from their droppings which may cause stains on parts of your home. Bird nests can also cause a blockage to your draining system obstructing the flow of rainwater causing damage to your guttering system and leakage.

If there are trees surrounding your home you could possibly end up with a squirrel issue on your roof and gutters. Your gutters can of course act as a safe place for squirrels to escape predators such as foxes. Squirrels can also become stuck in your homes drain pipes which can be a costly fix.

Let BSG Group take care of your gutter cleaning, no matter what time of the year.

Do you need a gutter cleaning quote? Visit our main gutter cleaning website for a gutter cleaning quote at affordable rates.

Increase The Value Of Your Home With Clean Guttering

Improving even the smallest things when selling your home can make a huge difference to a prospective buyer. Well kept gutters and downpipes can add a large financial reward to the value of your home and in our latest blog we are going to explain just how and why…

Gutters are unsung heroes of real estate

Without them your home’s structural integrity is at major risk. Clean and clear gutters can prevent flooding, you might think that gutters are just for the exterior of your home and to help move water from the roof. However, they stop floods occurring inside as well, rainfall can build up around the base of your home causing flooding issues at lower levels.

This excess water build up can also cause a build up of water on your roof which can also lead to leaks occurring from the top. Clean guttering will also prevent rotting fascias which could lead to costly roof repairs. Ice can easily build up in the gutters during the winter months if they are not free from any debris. An unclogged gutter will help to draw away water from your roof before it turns to ice which will cause very costly issues for your home.

Clogged gutters could also send water to places it shouldn’t go causing problems around your home and in your garden. An overflow of water can stain your homes walls leaving discoloration which can certainly decrease the value of your home.

So of course clean gutters can prevent costly repairs, make your home work better, and increase your home’s functionality adding value to your property. Improving the appearance of your home, new buyers will know they won’t have to do a lot of repairs associated with  unkempt guttering adding to your home’s appeal.

So if you want to add value to your home it’s certainly a good idea to start with your gutters!

Contact us today for a any of your guttering needs, our highly skilled team will be ready to help –  

Receive a FREE quote by calling us today: 

0800 566 8301

How do you clean your gutters and how often should you?

One of the most asked questions when it comes to gutters, how should we clean them? As spring is now upon us and the brighter evenings are finally here it’s now prime time to start thinking about cleaning your home gutters.

How do you clean your gutters?

Gutters have to put up with a lot, especially from severe conditions in the winter months leaving you to deal with the consequences come summer. Extreme winter weather can cause leaves and debris to clog the gutters and if left uncleaned this can result in very serious damage.

How do you clean your gutters? 

Well firstly you need the correct tools for the job:

  • A ladder
  • A strong bag – a plastic bag is appropriate
  • Gloves – ideally waterproof
  • A scoop or small spade

To begin it is vital that you ensure your ladder is always secure, this can be achieved by making sure that the ladder is planted on firm level ground and both feet should be kept level. You can increase security by using a ladder standoff which attaches brackets to the top of the gutter ensuring the ladder doesn’t move too much.

It is always best to keep a bag or bucket close by to place the debris into, using rubber gloves or a scoop you should then be able to remove the gutters contents. You should always aim to remove as much waste as you can, even reaching into smaller spaces. Once everything is removed it is time to do the downpipes which can involve washing them out with a hose or bucket.

When it comes to how often you should clean your gutters we always recommend gutter cleaning twice a year, during spring and autumn. It is always important to clean as much out as you can as the more debris there is the longer it will take.

Remember a clean gutter means the prevention of blockages and damage to your home.

Do you need a gutter cleaning quote? Visit our main gutter cleaning website for a gutter cleaning quote at affordable rates.

The Importance Of Cleaning Your Gutters In Spring

Let’s face it, we all dread cleaning the gutters but do you know exactly why it is essential to do so?

A costly problem to fix…

As spring approaches it is now time to take on the dreadful chore but keeping in mind that by not doing so could result in several home damaging consequences. Our home gutters tend to fill up more during the winter months, this can be problematic for homeowners come spring time.

With the autumn and winter months causing more wind and rainfall therefore causing more leaves and debris to fall into our gutters. It’s normally the winter months that we choose to leave our gutters as with the darker evenings and colder weather.

Gutters are designed to ensure that water drains in an orderly fashion, they protect the foundations of our home from any water damage. When they aren’t cleaned this can cause water to overflow causing a range of structural issues.

With clogged gutters the water will spill onto your garden causing major landscape damage over time. An overflow of water can also cause damage to your homes decking causing rot and discolouration over time.

One of the most occurring damages from clogged gutters is foundation damage, this is when the water leaks into your home’s foundation. When this water freezes and expands it will then cause cracks and weakening the ground underneath your home. This will all over time eventually cause the flooring of your home to cave in.

For home’s with a basement water will hit these areas easily, this will cause serious mould spots and musty smell. This in time could lead to flooding which to repair will remain very costly.

The initial effects of clogged gutters will be major damage to your property’s roof, tiles can absorb the water allowing it to leak through into your roofing structure. The water can move through the roof and on to the ceiling.

Do you need a gutter cleaning quote? Visit our main gutter cleaning website for a gutter cleaning quote at affordable rates.

How Gutters Work

Gutters are designed to remove any water from the base of your home, this is with help from your homes downpipes of course…

In order for gutters to do their job properly the downpipes must be clear of any debris which will ensure the water can flow easily out and to the bottom of your home.

It is also highly important that gutters are properly pitched and angled toward the downpipes in order for the water to flow. If any of these occur this can cause the water to severely damage your guttering.

The top signs to look out for: 

These signs indicate why your gutter may not be working properly, 

Sagging guttering – This is when your gutter appears to be pulling away from your fascia and soffit, this can happen if there is too much debris heavily weighing your gutter.

Leaking gutters – You know your gutters are leaking when you spot water dripping from your gutter system, this can occur from wear and tear causing holes and loose gutter joints.

Clogged gutters – If you spot debris in your gutters and water stains on your home walls or your gutters pulling away from the fascia you more than likely have clogged gutters.

Badly pitched – The position of your gutters is highly important, if water sits stagnant this means your gutters are laying too flat. If the water is over shooting they may be poorly angled to hold the water.

If you notice any of the above don’t panic! We are here to help at BSG Group, call us today for a FREE quote! – 0800 566 8301