Roof gutters often clog up with a variety of debris and items that can cause severe damage not only to the gutters but to your roof and even your foundation. As a result, you need to understand the most common types of gutter debris and how to clean them out of your gutters.

Leaf and Tree Debris

Leaves and sticks are the most common cause of gutter system clogs. For example, falling leaves in the fall may collect in your gutters and make a dam that holds back water. Even worse, items like pine needles, sap, and acorns can end up trapped in your gutters.

Clean your gutters by getting up on top of a ladder near your gutters several times a year. Use a broom, a brush, or a similar tool to break apart this debris, then scoop it out your gutters. You may need to pick some clogs out by hand, so always wear gloves during this process to keep your hands clean and protect yourself from any sticks or other sharp objects.

Animal Nests 

Many types of animals, such as squirrels and birds, love to build nests near or even inside of your gutters. These nests can dam up your whole gutter system and cause them to overflow whenever rain falls.

You may need to contact animal control in this situation to ensure that your yard is as pest-free as possible. Animal control will remove these animals and take them to a better area where they can live without coming to harm or hurting your property. You should also contact a gutter repair specialist to ensure that no damage occurred in your gutters because of these nests, such as the weight of the nest pulling the gutter away from your roof.

Shingle Debris

Over time, your roof will age and start to decay. Debris from a roof varies from nails, bits of tar, parts of shingles, or even whole shingles. When these items fall off and start to roll down a roof, they may easily get trapped inside of a gutter and cause a clog. Even worse, these items may trap other elements and create an even bigger clog.

If you are worried about this problem, get on top of your roof and check its shingles for various types of damage. And, just as importantly, fix these issues ASAP to avoid any more gutter clogs. Don't hesitate to contact a professional roofer to fix your roof. This step helps to keep your gutters in great shape and avoids complications.

Insect Infestations

Lastly, some types of insects may end up in your gutters and clog them up. For example, bees may make a nest near your gutters because they provide a useful water source. Then, they may fall inside and die, which can clog up the gutters and cause even more insects - such as mosquitoes - to flock to the area for water.

The best way to manage insect infestations in your gutters is to make sure that the water flows properly. Most infestations occur because of still water, which allows various species to breed and expand their range. Get up on your roof and break apart clogs to keep insects from infesting your gutters and causing even bigger clogs that are harder to manage.

If your gutters are damaged and you want to repair them and ensure that they remain in great shape, please don't hesitate to contact us at Rain-Flow Gutters to get the help that you need. Our experts will do what is necessary to eliminate clogs and keep your gutters in great shape for years to come.