People who offer gutter cleaning services say that because of the storms, they’re booked for days.
LODI, Calif. — A storm swept through the valley and left behind a mess in San Joaquin County, sending many people into cleanup mode the day after Christmas.
In Lodi, heavy rain, wind, thunder and lightning prompted the city to activate some of its storm drain detention basins. One of those basins, normally used as a park, was filled with rainwater — a sign that the system was working as designed.
The storm also raised questions for homeowners about whether their own drainage systems could handle the rainfall.
The day after Christmas, local gutter cleaners were responding to a surge in calls.
Mohammad Ibrahim and his business partner, Austyn Reiswig, with Bin Bros Pressure Washing, were among those helping residents prepare for more storms and clean up after the last one.
“It feels good up here, it’s nice and windy,” said Ibrahim, standing on the roof of a home in San Joaquin County. “We’re just out here doing some work for people that need to get their gutters cleaned out before the storm hits again.”
Reiswig said the storm brought intense conditions. For gutter cleaners across the area, that kind of weather often means more business.
“Yeah, it was pretty crazy. It was just a lot of rain, a lot of thunder and lightning, a lot of wind,” Reiswig said. “That’s when most of the phone calls come in. That’s what reminds people to get their gutters clean.”
Reiswig said they have been in business for about six or seven months, and this storm marked their first major test.
He said clogged gutters are a common issue after heavy rain, often filled with leaves, dirt and mud that block downspouts and cause water to back up.
“When the water gets stuck up in the gutters, that can cause a lot of damage to homes,” Reiswig said. “This is our first big storm, so it’s cool, but it’s stuff we’re prepared for.”
Ibrahim said working on roofs has also revealed problems many homeowners may not notice, including algae buildup. The two recommend getting ahead of maintenance before storms move in and investing in screens or filters for gutters to avoid leaf and debris buildup.
“I would definitely do it before the storm moves in, just because if the downspouts are clogged, the water will start clogging up in the gutters and it can get inside the roof and cause leaks,” Reiswig said. “We just always want to be available for people.”
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