Hiring a Gutter Cleaning Service

Hiring a Gutter Cleaning Service

If you own a home, you probably do not even think about your gutters, unless something goes wrong. If your gutters stop working and rain water starts running over the sides of the house in sheets or the gutters start to pull away from the roof creating an eyesore, then all of the sudden your gutters are a big deal. The truth is that you should clean your gutters twice a year, even if there are not noticeable problems. Keeping your gutters clear will ensure the long life of your home’s foundation and your gutter system. But when it comes time to clean them, should you do it yourself or hire a professional gutter service?

There are two reasons that you might prefer to clean your own gutters. The first is the fact that doing the job yourself saves money. As long as you have a large enough ladder, you can clean your gutters for less than twenty dollars. You only need common household items and an inexpensive gutter scoop. Professional gutter cleaning services can charge anywhere from seventy five to five hundred dollars. The things that affect that price include the square footage of your home, how many stories your house is, and how clogged the gutters are. Remember that you usually get what you pay for. Therefore, the less expensive gutter cleaning services might not do a very good job compared to what you could do yourself for less than a third of the price. The second reason you might prefer to clean your own gutters is something less tangible. Taking care of your home and completing a large and important chore like this will give you a sense of accomplishment that will not be there if you pay someone else to do the work.

There are also two reasons you should hire someone to do this chore rather than doing it yourself. First, gutter care can be a dangerous proposition. There are safety concerns with getting up on a ladder as well as possible health concerns over coming in contact with certain molds and bacteria. If you are accident prone or have serious mold allergies, then hiring a professional is probably a good idea. Second, there are certain added benefits you get from a service like gutter maintenance and upkeep. Technicians will make sure your gutters are leveled properly to encourage the proper flow of water to your downspouts. In addition, they will make sure that the hangers that attach your gutters to your roof are in good repair and place any hat need it. These services are usually included in the price so you have to weigh that in your decision.