Have you ever noticed those dirty streaks on the front edge of gutters? They look so much like tiger stripes, people in the gutter industry call them that.
There’s a good chance you’ve noticed and had a fleeting thought about what’s causing those — and went on with your day. How long ago was that?
This spring or summer would be a perfect time to pay attention to the sign your gutters are sending: It’s time to climb or call someone to look.
We don’t clean gutters (unless we are installing leaf guards), but our customers ask us lots of questions about those dirty streaks that make it look like the gutters are leaking. They wonder if they are going to overflow or fail — and what prompted it probably was the appearance of streaks.
A few factors could be causing the tiger stripes. You won’t know for sure until somebody looks in the gutter. If you don’t resolve the root of the problem (possibly a blockage), simply cleaning the streaks on the outside will be a waste of time.
If the gutters are substantially dirty in a several-foot-long section, then you probably have a blockage accelerating the buildup. We can install leaf guards that will solve clogged gutters, and we will even clean them out first (visit our Leaf Guards page for details). If the stripes are uniform across, then it is just normal tiger striping and doesn't indicate a performance issue.
If you live in northern Michigan or an area with a lot of foliage near gutters, blame the vegetation, rain and pollen for the tiger stripes. Trees filter pollutants out of the air, rain washes that out and drops it in and on gutters. Pollen is heavy in the fall. We all can remember turning on wipers just to clear the pollen some days — but not thinking so much about what it was doing to the gutters.
Whether you have a wood-burning stove, live in the woods with debris and pollen falling, or a field with dirt blowing, tiger stripes will occur to some degree. It’s like a car with water spots, except cars are glossy with a clear coat that repels better. And people wash their cars.
Gutters are a satin finish, and usually never get washed. A garden hose won’t cut it. Gutters can handle regular scrubbing, but abrasive pads or strong cleaners not properly diluted are a problem. If you wouldn't do it to your car, don't do it on your gutter.
If your gutters are white or a light color, staying on top of your tiger stripes is important. The longer they sit there, the harder they are to remove — just like any stain left untreated. Having gutter covers installed will help reduce the time you spend cleaning the gunk off your gutters because clogged gutters will cause that dirty water to overflow.
Most people don’t want to clean their gutters — and that’s understandable. If you’re hosting a graduation party, wedding, or selling anytime soon, power washing your gutters (or calling a pro) should make your To Do list.
At least climb up there (or launch the drone) and look.
If you decide to clean your gutters on your own here’s a recipe and some tips:White vinegar and water: 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water.
A popular store-bought option is Gutter Grenade. Any store-bought solution is specialized and often concentrated. Follow the directions! They can take the paint right off or cause aesthetic damage to surrounding surfaces such as vinyl siding, brick, or concrete.
If you decide to search for a pro, you’ll have the best luck finding one by posting in a local Facebook group (in northern Michigan, check Living in Lewiston, Oscoda County Neighbors Helping Neighbors, What’s Up Alpena, or your own neighborhood group).