How Do You Know It's Time to Clean the Exterior of Your Gutters?

How late is too late for you (or the cleaning company) to save your gutters? Cleaning the exterior phase of your gutters is an important part of home maintenance. Here are three signs you want to look out for to signal cleaning time:

Algae, dirt, and debris on the outside of your gutters. Airborne algae, dirt, and debris will naturally find a way on the outside of your gutters. If not cleaned, this can lead to further problems.
Black stripes on the outside of your gutters. Just about every home has black streaks running down the side of the gutters. We call these tiger stripes. This is a result of an electrostatic bonding from the chemicals inside your shingles with the condensation and moisture on the outside of your gutters.
Oxidation. This occurs when your gutters are not regularly cleaned. This can cause the shortened lifespan of your gutter system, as well as remove paint with any attempt to clean.

If you see any of the above three items on the exterior of your gutters, it’s time to call a pro to get a gutter cleaning.