The cold season is the perfect time to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a cup of steaming hot chocolate and your favorite book. You may not be the only one seeking comfort in your home, however. Rodents also seek warm dwellings during the winter. These pests can enter your home through some very unexpected places, including your gutters.
Your gutters protect your house from the weather during the cold season. If your gutters and their support mechanisms are in poor shape, mice can use them to invade your house. Mice may also use your gutters as protective nesting sites. You can solve both issues by using the information below.
How Can Mice Take Advantage of Your Gutters?
Your gutter system is an extension of your roof. The system collects water from the roof’s edge, then releases it through a network of pipes called downspouts. If your gutters are relatively new, they probably won’t give you too many issues. But if your gutters are old and deteriorated, they can cause major problems.
Gutters can develop holes and other problems as they age. Falling leaves, dirt and bird feathers can also fill up the insides of your gutters. The organic debris makes it possible for mice to live inside your gutters without you ever noticing.
Mice can reach your gutters by climbing the cable and electrical wiring connected to your house. They can also crawl through the unprotected ends of your downspouts. Once inside the gutters, they look for weak spots in your home’s exterior. This is how they get inside.
Rodents such as mice can carry many different diseases, pathogens and insects which are harmful to humans, including ticks and the hantavirus. Once inside your home, the mice can then spread these diseases to you and your loved ones. Keeping mice out of your home will help protect you and your loved ones.
How Do You Solve Your Problems?
To make sure you get your gutter’s problems fully resolved, make sure to hire a professional contractor to repair or replace your gutters. A contractor can navigate the roof’s edge safely and fix the root of your gutter problem. They will also be able to take care of any other problems around your gutters which may be allowing rodents into your home.
First, the contractor will inspect your gutters and downspouts. If the gutters and downspouts are in good shape but are backed up with debris, the contractor will either clean them or let you know how you can clean your gutters yourself, depending on which you prefer. To keep your gutters and downspouts clean, you may want to consider covering them with screens.
If your gutters and downspouts are damaged beyond repair, a specialist may suggest that you replace them right away. Damaged gutters not only allow rodents access to your home, they can also build up with snow and collapse. Ice dams may also form over the weakened gutters, causing major problems.
Once the contractor has gauged the extent of the damage, they will perform any needed repairs or replacements. They will discuss your options in greater detail before moving forward with the project.
You’ll need to monitor and maintain your gutters properly after the repairs or replacements. You can do so by having a professional clean and inspect your gutter system and the parts supporting them in the spring and in the fall. A contractor can offer sound advice on when to clean your gutters.
If you’re ready to move forward with your gutter repairs, contact our specialists at D & B Continuous Guttering, Siding & Soffits LLC today.