​Anyone that owns a property knows the maintenance that gutters require and how important they are. Gutters serve a vital role for protecting the property as well as for aesthetic purposes. Gutters are essential in preventing water damage to a building, and if they are not taken care of early on they can lead to very expensive preparations.
 
When gutters are being clogged by leaves, sticks, or other obstacles, the entire gutter system is at risk of being compromised. It is absolutely essential that gutters are cleaned twice a year, generally in the fall and spring, to prevent gutters from clogged. Here are 6 major benefits from Gutter Cleaning, and why it is important they are professionally done.

1.  Stops Spread of Contamination and Disease Gutters are a breeding ground for contaminants, bacteria, and animals that can have dangerous diseases. It is extremely important, especially among the pandemic, to keep our families safe from contaminants and diseases. There are many diseases that can arise as a result of bacteria in gutters, with Legionnaires being the most common. Legionnaires is a sickness that results from complex water systems like gutters not being cleaned.

2.  Improves the Facade of the Property Not only do clogged gutters worsen the aesthetics of a building, but gutters are often included by the architect in the final design of the building. Clean gutters help the facade of the property significantly in looking appealing. This can help in both the long run and short run because a more appealing property will sell better on the market, and can help properties around it sell better as well.

3.  Increases Gutter Longevity  
If gutters are not cleaned at least twice a year, not only can this cause damage to the house and the system, but it can deteriorate the gutters if not cleaned frequently and properly. This can lead to costly repairs that would cost far more than having them professionally clean.

4.  Gutters Can Be Homes for Pests  
As mentioned before, gutters can be home to animals that can carry dangerous diseases. Birds, rodents, bugs, and other animals often look to gutters for shelter. If not properly cleaned, gutters can be the perfect environment for these animals which can not only carry dangerous diseases, but can spread into homes which can lead to the need to hire professionals to remove them.

5.  Prevents Roof Damage  
Taking good care of the gutters can add years to the roofs lifespan. Clogged gutters trap moisture, ice, and debris which leads to roof damage. If gutters are not properly cleaned it can lead to very expensive repairs in roof damage.

6.  Prevents Water Damage  
Gutters main purpose is to prevent water damage to properties. If gutters are clogged by debris then the water does not move properly and this can lead to water damage hurting the structural integrity of the property. This can cost thousands in repairs if this happens as a result of gutters not being cleaned properly and frequently.

Ensuring that your property is clean and presentable is one of the most important ways to maintain it. One of the best ways you can do this is by power washing dirty surfaces. This begs the question; what surfaces should you consider power cleaning? The most common reason to power clean an exterior surface is that it has hard to remove stains like rust or paint. Before considering pressure cleaning any area, we will inform you about which surfaces are safe to clean and should be prioritized first and which area are not safe to power wash. 
 
1. Deck and Patios
After a while, it becomes common for patios and decks to collect mold, algae, and hard to remove stains. If your deck is not under good sunlight, it is more likely for mold and algae to appear. Wooden decks and recycled composite decks are both safe for power cleaning. 
2. Fences
After a while, fences can collect dust and debris and often can have paint stains as well. Fences are safe for power cleaning and should be considered if they are dirty or stained. Fences are important for maintaining property because they are generally at the periphery of the property, so it is one of the first things, if not the first thing somebody sees when looking at the property. 
3. Walls & Siding
It is normal for walls and siding to collect things like mildew, spider webs, and other toxic debris. This is very important for keeping the property aesthetically pleasing, but it can often be vital because it can create respiratory issues for the people living inside the building. Walls and sides must be cleaned every 1-3 years for these reasons. Power cleaning can be a very efficient way of cleaning siding. 
4. Walkways
Entries and walkways will often make a first impression to guests and are important for the property's upkeep. These are commonly made from concrete or limestone, which are safe to power clean. These surfaces can collect black drip marks or white chalky marks, and these can usually only be cleaned using a power cleaner. The black drip marks result from mold, which happens over time from snow, rain, and ground moisture. If the walkway is brick, pressure cleaning can also be a great cleaning solution; you should make sure cracks are sealed and dry before. 
5. Driveway
Tire marks and other marks from cars can commonly appear on driveways, as well as weeds and other plants growing through the driveway. Power cleaning can be a great solution to this problem. Maintaining a clean driveway is very important for boosting curb appeal and protecting your investment. 
6. Pool Patios
Pools patios are another form of patios that can become dirty from algae, weeds, stains, and mildew. Pool patios are almost always made of safe surfaces to power clean and are very important to take care of your property. They can even cause contamination issues in the pool water if not properly taken care of, so power cleaning is a great solution. 
7. Concrete
If you have other surfaces made of concrete like streets or roads, power cleaning can be good. Concrete is a safe surface to power clean and can be necessary because it can have tire marks, mold, algae, paint stains, and other marks resulting from the weather. Power cleaning is a great solution for all of these. 
 
Surfaces Not Safe to Power Clean
 
Cars
Cars are not safe to power clean. This will lead to more harm than good because it can cause rust and damage the paint.
 
Roofs
While roofs may seem like a good idea to power cleaning, they are not. High-power pressure cleaners can cause water to seep through the roof and ruin shingles, so it is not good to power clean roofs. 
 
Wooden Furniture
It is generally not a good idea to power clean outdoor furniture. Power cleaning wooden furniture can lead to permanent damage and ruin the quality of the furniture. 
 
Is Power Cleaning a Good Way to Remove Rust?
 
The most effective way to remove rust from metal is by using a power cleaner. The powerful burst of water that is projected from the power cleaner will quickly and effectively remove rust. Removing rust from a vertical outdoor surface like sidings or walls will also help surfaces that are underneath.
 
Should Power Cleaning be Done Professionally?
 
Power cleaning should be done professionally because it saves time, money and is much safer. Hiring a professional is a much quicker solution than researching what kind of power cleaner to buy, how to clean each surface, and how to use it once it is bought. It will also save money because a professional will have all the needed equipment. Generally, when people try to do the job themselves, they either buy too much equipment, not enough or do not buy the right kind and have to buy spend more money on a different kind of cleaner to do the job right. Hiring a professional will save you from all these needless issues and will do the job much safer, because more often than not when people try to do it themselves, they will damage their property. At South Shore Window Cleaning know the right way to power clean surfaces, how to determine if the surfaces are safe to power clean, and we have professionals that can get the job done safely and efficiently.