The wet, winter season is upon us in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland; bringing with it masses of falling leaves, twigs, pinecones, pine needles and all sorts of other debris. As many homeowners know, that brings the dreaded gutter cleaning chore: climbing on wet, slippery ladders in the pouring rain, trying to unclog a gutter full of caked-on debris that clogs badly enough that the water is simply sheeting over the top of your gutter.

While it may be a very undesirable task, gutter health is closely linked to roof and the general health of your home. When gutters are full or overflowing, you risk water finding its way into your home and into walls, potentially leading to mold or rot. The added weight of moss, mud and water can cause the gutters to pull away from the roof and tear off under the constant stress. Some other common issues are increased blockages in perimeter drains as well as rotting of fascia boards, siding and any location where the water is leaking onto continuously.

It is understandable that this is not a job a lot of homeowners wish to tackle, but one that is nonetheless essential to proper home maintenance. Fortunately there are great companies who specialize in this area, saving you the risk and hassle of performing this daunting task yourself. Choose a company you are comfortable with and that has a good reputation; there is nothing worse than paying for a “cheap service” and, well, getting a “cheap service”. Not to mention, gutter cleaning is one of the least expensive home maintenance tasks but one that makes a significant difference.

Don’t let your holidays be interrupted by leaks and damage! Follow a preventative maintenance plan and have your gutters cleaned 1-2 times per year depending on the tree coverage around your home.