Why it is important to clean gutters in Autumn?

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Why it is important to clean gutters in Autumn?

Autumn is just around the corner. If you have not thought about a gutter clean, now is the time to start. Waiting until your gutters are full of leaves and blocking the downpipes, could potentially cause damage to your property.

Cleaning the gutters of leaves, sticks and other debris that collects, is one job to be done prior to, or at the beginning of Autumn. If you have deciduous trees on your property, Autumn is the mortal enemy of gutters. Sometimes, two or three cleans are required in this season. The upside is that the rest of the year usually sees the gutters working properly, as long as they have been maintained in the Autumn.

Waiting for that last leaf to fall could mean you have overfull gutters and you run the risk of damage. Owning or renting a property means there are always chores to do to get ready for every season. Autumn is no different. Making sure the gutters are clear of debris for the winter to come should be on top of the list of things to do.

You may think that this is an easy enough task to complete but working at heights or from a ladder can be a risk not worth taking. Letting professional gutter cleaners do the work, avoids any injury risk to you and could be the difference in making it through the winter with no issues of overflowing or water damage when it rains.

Satisfied Devonport Gutter Cleaning Customers Come Back Every Year

“We’ve been using Gutter-Vac since 2018, it’s a wonderful service with great operators and we would highly recommend them to anyone thinking of having their gutters, rooves and solar panels cleaned.”

Cathran and David, Devonport Tas

It’s good to hear from our repeat customers. Knowing that they are happy with their gutter cleaning service and will continue to use Gutter-Vac gives us great satisfaction too.

Once you have had a gutter cleaning service from us, we put you in our system and you receive regular reminders when we think you require a gutter clean. Or you can choose what time frame you want and we can send the reminders to that schedule.

Our reminders go out the month before so that we can book regular customers in on time. If we know you definitely want a gutter clean in a certain month, we hold a booking for you, so your job gets scheduled in that month. Sometimes the schedule gets booked out, especially in summer. Responding to your email as soon as possible will help keep your gutter cleaning maintenance on track.

Oyster Cove Gutter Cleaning Customer Happy With Service

“Chris arrived early and worked hard until the job was finished (a full day’s work). He did a great job, and the before-and-after photos are impressive. The accompanying condition report was also very useful.”

Ken, Oyster Cove Tasmania

Our office staff at Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania are so pleased when we hear our customers appreciate the report and photos. We put a lot of time and effort into preparing these for our customers. It is not only proof of work completed but helps customers to see how much debris was removed.

We add a recommendation on the report as to how frequent your gutters should be cleaned to prevent blockages and damages. Our office staff can send out reminders based upon the recommended clean frequency or a period of your own choosing. We offer this service so you don’t have to remember.

Thanks for the great feedback, Ken. It’s much appreciated.

Maintenance Checklist for the Coming Spring Weather

Winter is coming to an end.  The weather is warming and the sun is shining. Now is the time to get stuck into the list of things that need to be done around the home as we come out of hibernation. Spring is just around the corner. Check off the maintenance list below.

1. Gutter cleaning and downpipes

Clogged gutters can cause overflow and blockages to downpipes. Water ingress into the roof and wall cavities could be a costly experience.

  • Cleaning gutters on a regular basis will prolong the life of the guttering, as the corrosive sludge is removed more frequently. The downpipes are checked for blockages and cleared, making sure the water can get away from the roof.
  • Roof damage is minimised, as the debris is removed when a gutter clean is completed. Debris left to sit on a roof or in the valleys can cause premature deterioration of the roof.
  • You can use gutter guards to help maintain your gutters but you still have to clean them. It’s usually more of a nuisance than it is worth.
  • You can hand clean your gutters yourself but it’s worth getting in professionals to clean your gutters and debris, as your safety is something to be considered too. Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania have certificates to work safely at heights and are fully insured.

2. Do you have any drains and sump pits that need checking?

These areas fill up with leaves and dirt over winter. Making sure they are cleared and able to remove the groundwater will ensure that a build-up does not occur and cause damage to the house foundations.

Remove the covers over the drains and pit, clean out the material laying here and run water to the drains to make sure the pit does not fill with water and drains properly.

Add this job to the gutter cleaning service when Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania come.

3. Window Maintenance

Over winter, the windows get condensation on them each morning. The moisture can cause constant dampness in the room. Wiping the windows and sills each day will help keep the mould and mildew at bay. Using items such as a moisture absorber and desiccant can help to eliminate problems like mildew and dampness. Washing the windowsills to remove the mould and mildew collected over winter will give the room a fresh feeling.

4. Cleaning dryer vents

Over winter the dryer has probably had more use. Dryers can be a fire hazard due to the lint build-up. Make sure to remove lint from the vents each year and regularly remove the lint from the filter. This also improves the efficiency of the dryer.

The vent is usually at the back of the dryer but if you have trouble locating it, check your user manual. Unscrew from the wall and gently remove any lint. Just brushing the inside walls of the vent piping will loosen the lint, to be blown out when next using the dryer.

5. Chimney/Flue Cleaning

It depends on when you get your chimney/flue cleaned, before winter or after winter. Scheduling a chimney/flue clean will ensure you get the work completed when you need it to be done. If you wait, you may find that your chimney/flue is blocked and cleaners may not have time to fit the work into their busy schedules. Blocked chimneys/flues can fill the home with smoke when opening the door to put wood on the fire. It makes it difficult to burn efficiently and could cause flue fires. Planning ahead will mean you can relax and enjoy the comfort and warmth a fire provides.

6. Yard Maintenance

Winter weather can prevent us from going into the yard to work. Now that the weather is improving, it is time to check potential problems, such as broken branches, slippery leaf matter on pathways and check watering systems to see if there are any splits or holes from freezing over winter.

7. Reverse cycle air-conditioning units

Be sure to clean the filter. The build-up of dust on the filter decreases the efficiency of the unit. Schedule a service for the unit to ensure that it is ready for the warmer months once summer begins.

8. Sealing drafts

Over winter, you will have found areas that cause drafts. With better weather, you can fix these spots in the house, eliminating them for the next season. Insulation installed in the walls and the ceiling will provide an added benefit to your home’s energy efficiency. Completing this work in spring will help to keep the house cooler in the warmer months.  

Before and After Photos of Gutter Cleaning Are Great For Property Managers

“Fantastic job, great to have before and after photos supplied, especially being a Property Manager, they were extremely efficient to deal with.”

Abby at PRD Nationwide Hobart

Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania provide gutter cleaning to residential and commercial properties. Every job completed receives before and after photos and a report detailing the work completed.

Residential customers can use this as proof of maintenance to their properties. This can be handy for insurance purposes. Commercial clients can use the information to manage their portfolios. The owners of the properties can see the work completed. They can then use the report to liaise with the real estate for further required maintenance.

We use a maintenance program that emails a reminder to clients when a gutter clean is due. The process is simple. An email is sent for approval of the gutter clean. Once accepted the work is scheduled. The following business day an invoice, report, and photos are emailed to the respective person. The maintenance program is set for the next gutter clean reminder.

Communication between clients, property managers, and tenants are coordinated by our office staff and technicians. We endeavour to keep everyone informed to make the process efficient and completed in a timely manner.

Leafy Gutter Clean in Kingston

With the winter leaves in their final days of falling, it’s time to ensure the gutters on your property are clear.

Plants germinate from birds sitting in the gutters or from the wind carrying seeds. A garden can then form in your gutters! You don’t want the roots of the plants to take hold and block gutters or spread their tendrils into the roof cavity.

To prevent this, you can obtain a free quote for a gutter clean from Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania.

Join the maintenance program and have a reminder emailed to you every time your gutter clean is due. You can choose the period between cleans or we can advise your best course of action.

After each gutter clean, you will receive a roof and gutter report and before and after photos. The report identifies the condition of the roof/gutters and whether there are any issues that require attention. Photos can be used to provide evidence to insurance companies to inform them of any maintenance that has been completed. These reports and photos are especially handy for property management agencies.  

Five Stars For Gutter Cleaning Service in Kingston Beach

“Both jobs were superb. Todd did a wonderful job with the gutters and even in the rain & the roof has never looked so clean! Both Chris & Todd made us feel comfortable in our own home while doing a tremendous job. We can’t wait to recommend G-V to our friends and will highly recommend G-V to anyone. 5 stars for all the questions. Kindest regards to both Therese and Chris please”

Judy, Kingston Beach Tas

WOW!!! Such lovely feedback from our Kingston Beach gutter cleaning job.

We cleaned the gutters, solar panels, skylights, and half the roof while battling the weather and a temperamental pressure cleaner. We are very happy to know the service was completed to the satisfaction of the customer.

Safety First in Dynnyrne Gutter Clean

“Happy to have a reminder thanks, though if we have another dry summer the old Blue Gum across the lane will have the gutters on that side full pretty early in the year and may beat you to it.  Angus turned up when he was supposed to, did a fast, tidy job, and was pleasant and generally efficient in the way he did the job.  I’d be happy to recommend Gutter-Vac, and Angus, and Fleur to anyone who shows an interest. My partner says I am too old to get up on the roof these days so you provide me with a valuable service!”

Tony, Dynnyrne Tas

Our team are very pleased when they get a mention in the feedback. We work very hard to provide a happy and professional Gutter-Vac experience for each client. It can sometimes be a hard process booking the work behind the scenes, what with the winter weather. Communicating with our clients and keeping them informed along the way is a priority of ours.

Safety is important. Employing the right people who are experienced in working at heights and are insured is a must. It is much better to have a professional on the roof instead of risking your safety.

Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania have you covered.

Vacuum Gutter Cleaning vs Hand Cleaning Gutters

There are multiple ways of completing a gutter clean.

  • Vacuum gutter cleaning
  • Hand cleaning
  • Washing gutters (not recommended as water can flow back into the roof cavity

Vacuum Cleaning Gutters

Vacuum cleaning gutters is an effective and efficient method of cleaning. All the debris and sludge is removed from the gutter. Vacuuming the corrosive sludge regularly will prolong the life of the guttering.

Blockages in the downpipe to the first bend are removed. If there are blockages further down, we can use a gutter snake to loosen and flush the debris. A plumber will be required if blockages are underground.

Hiring Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania to vacuum clean your gutters will take less time and will leave the job site clean and tidy.

Hand Cleaning

Cleaning gutters by hand is a longer process. The technician removes the debris, places it in a bucket, and collects the waste in a bale bag at the vehicle. This is time-consuming and physical. Climbing the ladder with the bucket or lowering it to the ground on a rope to empty each time it is full, could mean multiple trips off the roof, depending on the amount of debris in the gutters.

It is less likely you will remove all debris and the sludge that sits on the bottom of the gutter. Pulling out wet debris can cause a huge mess on the roof, side of the gutter, and on the ground. Therefore, clean-up now must be factored in.

 Some gutters have very little gap to get a hand into, thereby, not being able to remove any debris.

What is the Best Method for Cleaning Gutters?

Our team believes vacuum cleaning is the better and most efficient method to clean gutters. Sometimes the technicians must hand clean the gutters prior to vacuuming, as the gutters have bark and sticks in them which block the hose.

There are sites that don’t have access for our vehicles or are too high for our equipment to reach. Our technicians do have to hand clean these types of jobs. Our technicians do their very best to ensure the gutters are as clean as they can get.

You can request a free quote here or call us on 1300 654 253. Our office team will endeavour to organise a gutter clean using the best method to complete a professional service. Gutter-Vac Northern and Southern Tasmania strive to make accommodations for the uniqueness of each property.