Prevent Roof Ripper

Now that winter is almost here, it’s time to get your house ready for the cold, wet weather. To protect your home, your rain gutters should be at the top of the maintenance list. While there are other home maintenance projects that need to be taken care of the before the wet weather sets in, having clean gutters will protect your home from top to bottom. Here are three reasons you should clean your gutters before winter arrives.
Prevent Pest Problems
You might not realize this, but dirty rain gutters provide the perfect place for pests to set up housekeeping during the winter. During the summer, when the gutters dry up, pests will move in and build their nests. Once winter hits, those nests can pose a threat to your home. First, they’ll clog the access pipes, causing water to overflow from the sides. Second, they provide easy access for pests to chew through to your home. Before winter arrives, clean out your gutters to remove any nesting material that might be present. To keep them away, it’s a good idea to flush your gutters with a garden hose at least once a month during the winter. This is particularly true if you go through a dry spell during the winter.
Prevent Roof Damage
This can be particularly troublesome when the temperatures dip below freezing. If the water can’t drain from the gutters, it will build up inside. As the temperatures dip, the water will freeze. If the water expands out of the gutters, it can seep under your shingles. Unfortunately, when that happens, the resulting ice dams can wreak havoc on roof. Not only that, but the added weight of the ice can cause the gutters to pull away from your home, which can cause extensive damage. Before the rains arrive this winter, be sure you remove the debris and flush the gutters with water to remove the residual