Eco-Friendly Ways to Maintain Your Gutter Systems
If you’re environmentally conscious, you know how difficult it can be to find eco-friendly alternatives to help save our environment. We swap our chemical cleaning products for all-natural ones, discontinue burning candles, switch to electric cars, etc. There’s quite a lot we can do as homeowners to make our homes more eco-friendly, like adding solar panels to our roofs, solar-powered light bulbs, and so on.
If you are environmentally conscious, use caution when cleaning the interior and exterior of your home. Choosing all-natural cleaners with natural oils and plant properties is much safer for our environment. Most eco-friendly cleaners can be used on our home’s exteriors whether for pressure washing or cleaning the decks, grills, or patio furniture.
If you are starting spring cleaning, don’t forget to clean your gutter system! Keep reading for some eco-friendly ways to maintain your gutter system so you can get it sparkling clean and help save the environment at the same time.
Harvest Rainwater
Harvesting rainwater is a great way to reuse natural resources and to clean your home’s exterior. When you harvest rainwater, it serves many purposes while also saving on your water bill. Not only can you water your garden beds with harvested rainwater, but you can also clean surfaces, including your gutter system. After removing debris inside the gutter system, you’ll want to flush out the gutters with water. Using rainwater you harvested rather than your garden hose is a great way to reuse a natural resource while also saving you money.
Before you begin harvesting rainwater, be sure to follow our state’s laws. Virginia’s rainwater harvesting laws are regulated through the state’s plumbing code and state legislature. It’s allowed in Lynchburg and surrounding cities, provided you purchase a designated rainwater collection barrel or harvesting system to receive tax credits. Residents must fill out and submit this rainwater harvesting form and have an extensive inspection every few years to ensure the water collection system is working properly.
Properly Dispose of Debris
Maintaining your gutter system means cleaning it at least twice per year. Cleaning your gutters is paramount to how well it functions to collect and divert water away from the home’s foundation; clogged gutters cause them to overflow and work poorly. Living in Central Virginia means we have all four seasons, including fall and spring, which can mean an influx in gutter debris. Falling leaves and pine needles inevitably find their way inside a gutter, while spring blooms and pollens will land inside the gutter system.
When you clean your gutters, you should remove debris like leaves, twigs, and pine needles with a scoop, placing the debris inside a bucket. What do you typically do to dispose of this debris? Dump it in your garbage bin? Throw it over your fence? To be more eco-friendly when maintaining your gutter system, properly dispose of the debris.
To properly dispose of debris, collect leaves, twigs, and pine needles and place them inside a designated container or bag to be collected by your city’s waste management company. Alternatively, you could compost the debris to reuse for your garden beds.
Opt for Natural Cleaners
Sometimes gutter systems need a good scrubbing, especially if they haven’t been cleaned in a while. Rather than clean with cleaners that contain harsh chemicals, opt for using natural cleaners, even better if they’re biodegradable.
Why? Cleaning your gutters with cleaners means water runoff that’ll eventually make its way into the sewer system and our lakes, streams, and water sources. Using cleaners that contain harsh chemicals can harm our environment by contaminating water and harming our wildlife. Cleaners that are biodegradable and contain natural ingredients will give you peace of mind knowing they won’t harm our environment.
Install Gutter Guards or a Gutter Protection System
Are you tired of maintaining your gutter system? Cleaning a gutter system can be daunting, especially since it can take hours upon hours depending on how many trees surround your roofline, the quality of the gutter system, how often it’s cleaned, etc. If you’re environmentally conscious, you probably don’t want to clean your gutter system often to expose our environment to cleaners and add to the city’s waste.
Installing a gutter protection system or gutter guards is a great eco-friendly way to help protect our environment. Gutter guards are great at blocking debris from entering the gutter system, while gutter protection systems offer superior protection from debris, meaning you’ll never need to clean your gutters again. Therefore, zero debris to dispose of and no need to use cleaners!
Here at Home Evolutions VA, we have a variety of gutter systems that are eco-friendly and eliminate the need to clean your gutters. Our seamless gutters pair perfectly with our Xtreme Mesh Gutter Guard System. It’s a protection system made from surgical-grade stainless steel mesh that blocks debris from entering your gutter system. Stormwater and meltwater enter the gutters while the gutter guards block pine needles, leaves, and other debris.
We also proudly install the K-Guard System, a complete system with oversized gutters, downspouts, and a curved hood, keeping debris out and water moving through the gutter system. Clog-free, durable, and excellent performance make for a lifetime gutter solution and zero maintenance! K-Guard prevents overflowing gutters and foundation damage/basement leaks, protects your roof and home’s siding, and prevents ice dams.
We also offer a gutter cleaning service that saves you time. We’ll get your gutter system sparkling clean and will remove all debris. We’ll also check your gutter system for signs of damage or things that may need repairing.
Home Evolutions VA has been installing and repairing gutter systems for decades with thousands of happy customers in Lynchburg and surrounding areas. We can help with all your home improvement needs, whether you need help with an insurance claim or a quote for installing a new roof or gutter system. We’re here to help every step of the way throughout the entire process. Contact us today for a free estimate!
