Imagine that you’re outside your house mowing the lawn. You look up and notice a bird sitting in your gutter on a nest that it has made out of leaves and pine needles. At first glance, you may think that this isn’t a big deal, but the truth is that having a critter live in your gutters prevents them from functioning properly, which can mean trouble for your house in the long run. In this post, you’ll learn about the animals that may try to set up shop in your gutters, the role that gutters play in protecting your home, and ways you can keep animals out of them.
What kinds of animals can live in your gutters?
When you think about it, gutters can provide an easy home for many little critters, including birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and lizards. The shape of a gutter offers the perfect cradle for birds to set up a nest, especially with debris that has collected there. If your gutters aren’t draining properly, you may have spots where water pools up, attracting bugs and the lizards that eat them. Although chipmunks are typically ground-dwellers, the downspout of your gutters can provide an easy crawlspace for them. Regardless of the animal that decides to call your gutters home, you need to deal with it sooner rather than later.
Why are gutters so important for your home?
Gutters may be small, but they perform a critical task in protecting your home. Basically, gutters take the rainwater that falls on your house’s roof and divert it away from the house. Without gutters, this water could seep into the foundation and cause significant fissures, which are costly to repair. Also, rainwater can accumulate underneath the roof’s edge, saturate the wood, and lead to water damage on the inside and outside of your house. When gutters don’t function as intended, whether from debris, an animal, sagging, rust, or improper angling, it is your house—and your wallet—that suffer the consequences.
How can you prevent animals from settling in your gutters?
In order to keep animals out of your gutters, you need to keep your gutters clean. That means clearing out debris on a regular basis, even using a strong hose or power washer if necessary. One of the easiest ways you can deter these small animals is to install a high-quality gutter guard, which prevents leaves and other debris from accumulating in the first place. These guards also don’t allow animals access to the bottom of the gutters, discouraging them from setting up their home there. Take time to make sure that your gutters are free from leaks and rust and are angled properly. If they aren’t, repair or replace them as needed.
Although those small animals might be cute, they can wreak havoc on your home. They can find a home somewhere else! Through these preventative measures, your gutters can serve their purpose for years to come.
About Platinum Gutters
Platinum Gutters is owned and operated by long-time DFW residents Karl and Marjorie Pickens. Our team of industry experts can assist with cleaning, repairing or replacing gutters. We also offer high-quality stamped steel mesh gutter covers and leaf relief gutter protection systems for gutter guards. For replacement gutters, we offer a wide variety of gutter styles and colors. To schedule an estimate, click here.