Gutter Slime, Sludge and Silt: What Causes Them to Form?

Gutters prevent water from pooling on your roof and overflowing to the rest of your home’s exterior. They also affect how your property looks, so you might be concerned when there’s a brown or green material on their surface. Slime, sludge or silt is more likely to build up in your gutters in the fall.

A local GAF roofer explains what causes these slime issues and how to deal with them.

What Causes Gutter Slime, Sludge and Silt?

Leaves, twigs, seeds and other debris will eventually travel to your gutters. Over time, these organic materials will decompose and cause sludge to build up. Gutter sludge is also often made up of algae and moss. Since it’s extremely fine, it could be a challenge to remove. You want to eliminate sludge immediately because it can make gutter cleaning difficult. It will also cause larger debris to get stuck and accumulate in your gutters.

What Can You Do About It?

Schedule Regular Gutter Cleaning

You can avoid sludge in your gutters with regular cleaning. It keeps your gutters efficient and helps prolong their life. Experts recommend having them cleaned at least twice a year, preferably during spring and fall.

Sometimes, cleaning and maintenance aren’t enough to restore the condition of your gutters. The time will come when you will need to get new ones. Whether you are looking for quality seamless gutters or need a snow removal service, Deschutes Roofing is here to help.

Get a Gutter Protection System

Another thing that can help reduce the likelihood of sludge in your gutters is gutter guards. They will catch debris from the roof and keep them from entering your gutters. Besides preventing sludge, they will also keep your gutter system clog-free and make them easier to maintain.

Turn to Deschutes Roofing for superior seamless gutter installation services. Our experienced team also specializes in attic insulation and snow dam removal. Call us at (541) 241-5720 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego) or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You can also fill out our contact form to get a free estimate

We were very pleased with our service. We got three different estimates and we went with Deschutes Roofing. We also had a personal recommendation from friends. The roof was actually installed very quickly and efficiently. The crew was very … read more Response from business owner Deborah, I enjoyed meeting with you today for the final inspection. Thank you so much for the kind review. We appreciate your business!

Deborah M.

We had an excellent experience with Carlos and the team at Deschutes Roofing. Dave conducted a thorough inspection of our roofing needs, answered our questions, and provided a detailed appraisal with a range of options. Laurie provided … read more Response from business owner Kris, thank you for your kind compliments. We appreciate your business and really enjoyed working with you!

Kris B.

Very professional. Recommend them highly. Prompt, well done. Response from business owner Thanks, Jo!

Jo U.

Had winter damage due to heavy snow. Then an inspection of my roof revealed defects when installed by original roofer. Carlos was very responsive to my needs and required repairs were completed quickly.

Michael M.

Thanks to Deschutes Roofing Co. for a smooth and proffesional job done. Between scheduling flexibility and consideration of conditions, Carlos and his crew felt like family

David P.

We got in touch with Carlos on a Saturday desperate for help with our ice dams, as we had water actively running into the house. He got a crew together for us the next day.

Barbrina D.

Needed some minor roof and gutter repairs for which Deschutes Roofing was perfect. Excellent evaluation of problems followed up by reasonable price and good work. Pleasant to work with and on time as well.

Cat B.