Removing Leaves From Your Gutters

Cleaning the gutters isn’t a task that most homeowners enjoy, but it is an important one. Gutters allow rainwater to flow from your roof, which helps to protect the roof itself, the foundation of the house, and the overall structure of your home. If your gutters are clogged up with leaves and debris, your roof is at risk for leaks, the gutters can sag, and you might find water in your basement. Not to mention that clogged gutters make the perfect home for mold, rodents, and pests.

As a rule of thumb, you should clean your gutters out twice a year to prevent buildup and blockage. For many, this usually includes an autumn cleaning when leaves are falling from nearby trees. However, keep an eye on the kind of trees that you have around you. Evergreen and pine needles need to be removed every three months, not just twice a year. If you have these trees close to your home, be sure to check your gutters more frequently. Besides fall, you should clean your gutters in the early spring to get them ready for rainy weather.

Many people choose to clean their gutters themselves. Be sure to practice ladder safety, and wear equipment like gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes from sharp debris. If you’re uncomfortable cleaning your gutters yourself or worried about safety, there are leaf removal services that can do this task for you.

Additionally, it’s never a bad time to consider gutter guards, and forgo worrying about cleaning your gutters. We’ve partnered with Money.com to provide this list of trusted gutter guard providers near you:

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Should I Rake My Leaves?

While the knee-jerk reaction may be “Of course!” when thinking about this question, there are several things to consider when it comes to fall lawn care. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of raking up fall leaves.

Pros for Raking

For many, a leaf-strewn yard just looks messy. However, keeping your lawn free from leaf build-up can help keep your grass healthy. Thick layers of wet leaves can prevent new grass from growing in the spring, and it can cause the growth of mold that damages the existing grass and nearby tree roots. Removing leaves regularly reduces this harmful build-up, especially before winter snow gets added on top of it. Raking can be physically taxing for many, so invest in a lightweight ergonomic rake that’s designed to reduce back fatigue. It should have a wide head for raking the lawn or a small head for the garden.

Thick leaf build-up doesn’t allow sunlight to reach your lawn or air to circulate around it. Besides the risk of mold, this creates the perfect conditions for pests and insects to make a home within the leaves. Significant leaf buildup can also pose a safety risk. Too many dry leaves around your home, especially in warm or dry climates, can put your property at risk for fire.

Cons for Raking

If only about 20% of your lawn is covered in leaves, there’s no reason to rake. The wind will likely blow them away soon enough, saving you time and effort. Keeping a moderate amount of leaves on your lawn can actually be beneficial, as long as the leaves are dry and sunlight and air can still reach the grass below. Decomposing leaves deliver vital nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. In turn, this can make your lawn look more vibrant when spring rolls around again.

Some birds and friendly insects depend on leaves to build their homes. Caterpillars become pupa in the winter and often attach to old leaves. They then emerge in the spring as colorful butterflies that are natural pollinators for plants around the garden.

Leafy areas also attract fireflies since the leaves are a great food source and provide a spot for the eggs to hatch and larvae to develop. Fireflies spend most of their lives in the larvae stage, and raking or blowing away the leaves can destroy their habitat. To make your yard firefly-friendly but less messy, push all the leaves to one part of your yard where they won’t be disturbed and can decompose naturally while providing food and shelter to insects.

Alternatives to Raking and What to Do With Leaves

Raking isn't the only method for dealing with fall leaves. You can also try out different removal methods or find ways to put them to work with these fall lawn care ideas.

Composting Leaves and Leaf Mulching

Rake or blow all of your leaves into a pile and instead of bagging them for disposal, add them to your compost pile. Chopping them up a bit can help them break down faster, depending on the type of leaf. This also keeps the leaves from matting together. Composting creates rich healthy soil for your garden that gives new life to your plants and flowers. If you don’t have a compost pile, check to see if there are nearby neighborhood or community gardens that accept leaves for composting.

A similar alternative is leaf mulching. Skip leaf bagging entirely and mow over your leaves to break them into smaller pieces. They can then decompose into the grass and act as a natural mulch. Another method is to rake the leaves to nearby shrubs or tree trunks and make a ring of leaves around them. Leave enough room for sunlight and air to reach the roots. Eventually, the leaves will break down into a natural mulch.

When taking care of yard waste disposal, be sure to wear eye equipment and protective gloves to avoid getting debris in your eyes or any cuts or scrapes on your hands.

Protecting Plants and Animals

Leaves act as great insulation during the cold winter months. Pushing your leaves towards sheltered areas with shrubbery, or even near a fence, can encourage animals to take up residence there and stay cozy as the temperatures drop.

The same goes for your plants. Shred some leaves up into smaller pieces, and then add two or three inches of leaf layers to your garden. This will help regulate the temperature of the soil throughout the winter. If the leaves are too big, they can block water from reaching the roots and receiving moisture, so carefully cut them up into smaller bits.

Getting Crafty

Part of the reason that people love fall so much is because of all the vibrant autumnal hues. So instead of heading to your local craft store to buy more fall décor, think about making your own from things around your yard and garden.

• Make a colorful wreath using leaves and twigs from the yard. Gather up a bag of colorful leaves and some flexible twigs to make a frame. Use twine or thread to string everything together, and you can make something beautiful and welcoming for your front door.
• There are tons of art projects to do with little kids, like sealing the leaves in wax paper, creating collages, and even making simple puppets out of colorful leaves.
• You can string leaves together to make garlands or decorations for your mantel, banisters, or front porch. These will give your space a pop of color and don’t cost a thing.

AFC Home Warranty, Protecting You Through the Fall and Every Season

These fall leaf cleanup tips can help make sure that your home is ready to weather the fall and winter without any seasonal incidents, like sagging gutters or leaky roofs. Even so, life happens and that’s why AFC Home Warranty has a range of home warranty plans to cover those unexpected moments and get you the help you need, fast.

One thing that sets us apart from the rest is our flexibility and trust. Our plans allow you to choose who comes to your homes for repairs, giving you extra peace of mind. We also guarantee our repairs longer than any other company in the home warranty game. This means that you get expert-level service and professionalism with the backing of a guarantee you can trust. Reach out to AFC Home Warranty today to discuss our home warranty plans and learn how we’ve got you covered no matter the weather!