Clean Your Gutters This Fall, and Thank Us Later!
When you think of fall yard maintenance during October in West Chester Pennsylvania, you probably think about raking leaves, cutting the lawn, seeding the lawn, pulling out the annuals, pruning and cleaning out the flower beds, or planting some beautiful orange and yellow seasonal mums! And perhaps setting up a scarecrow and some Halloween lawn decorations… but don’t forget how important it is to clean the leaves and other debris out of your gutters too! It’s so important to make sure the water is draining properly from your gutters to eliminate the chances of a breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Dirty gutters can result in stagnant water sitting still trapped in your gutters, and stagnant water can result in a breeding ground for mosquitoes. There are so many other benefits to keeping your gutters clean. Clean gutters can also prevent a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. By ensuring the flow of rainwater is steady and heading away from your roof and walls, safely past your beautiful landscaping, out to the lawn or down to the street, you’ll be sure your home is well protected not only from stagnant water, but also water damage and leaks.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
If you guessed twice a year, you’d be correct! Ideally, gutters should be cleaned once in the late spring and once in the late summer or early fall. However, if you have a lot of trees surrounding your house, and especially a lot of tree coverage over your home, you may consider increasing the clean-out every few months to ensure they are maintained. If it’s too much work to clean yourself, enlist the help of a professional, or consider investing in gutter guards to help protect your gutters from collecting debris and getting clogged. However, keep in mind that even if you do have gutter guards on your home, you should still check for debris that can’t easily be seen, to ensure the gutters are still clear.
Why Clean Gutters in Fall?
Besides the obvious debris of leaves, mosquitoes can stay active, and in fact even thrive, in the fall temperatures. They don’t fully go away until temperatures drop to below 60 degrees consistently. Here in West Chester Pennsylvania, that can sometimes mean November-December, which makes October a great month to dedicate to giving your gutters some TLC. Being proactive to ensure there are no possibilities for breeding grounds for mosquitoes will keep you and your family, your pets and friends safe if you’re planning to spend time outside this fall.
Schedule Your Barrier Sprays
Many people don’t realize that mosquitoes are still alive and very active in the fall, so be sure to schedule a fall barrier spray for your yard and especially if you are planning a party or event outside at your home during the months of October and early November! Call our office at 610-228-0938 to discuss and schedule an appointment.
