Gutter cleaning in Interlochen, MI

Why do gutters need cleaning?

Gutters and downspouts move rain water from the roof to the ground, away from the foundation. When they fill with leaves, grit from the roof and debris, the water has nowhere to go and over the edge instead. That water runs down the siding, pools at the foundation, and can find its way into a basement or crawl space. Cleaning clears the channels and the downspout so the system works the way it was built to.

A property needs gutter cleaning when the channels are full, the water goes over the edge in a rain, or the downspout is backed up. Homes near trees need it more often, as the leaves and seeds fill the gutters through the fall. In northern Michigan, the freeze adds a second problem, as water held in a full gutter turns to ice and adds weight that can pull the gutter loose. The work is timed before the heavy rains of spring and the freeze of late fall.

The condition gutter cleaning addresses is a system that is blocked or holding water. Leaves, grit, shingle granules and debris are the usual causes, and the blockage often builds at the downspout where the channel narrows. A gutter that holds water is not doing its job, and the water finds its own path, which is rarely away from the house. Cleaning restores the flow so the water goes where it should.

The job is done from a ladder, by hand or with a low-pressure flush. The channels are cleared of debris, and the downspout is flushed to confirm the flow. The debris is hauled away rather than left on the ground. The crew checks the flow with water at the end so the system is working before they leave. The work is careful around the roof and the landscaping below.

Questions about gutter cleaning