Major Problems You’ll Encounter With a Clogged Gutter
Gutters are designed to channel rainwater off your roof and away from your home’s foundation. However, when a gutter becomes clogged, it can cause major problems for your home. Gutter cleaning is a task that should be done regularly. Here are some reasons to clean your gutters:
They Can Damage Your Roof
When water from clogged gutters cascades over your roof, it can soak the insulation, drywall, and sheetrock inside your home. It may result in moist spots that need pricey repair and cause the wood to deteriorate. It can also lead to the growth of mildew and mold, which is a serious health hazard for anyone living in your home. Clogged gutters can also make ice dam formation easier during winter storms. These dams prevent melting snow and ice from draining off your roof, causing leaks that are difficult and expensive to fix.
Cleaning your gutters is a task that requires a ladder and a bucket. Using a ladder that is sturdy and large enough to hold your weight is essential. Once you have your ladder, use a gutter scoop or garden trowel to remove dry leaves from your gutters and funnel them into the bucket. Repeat this process until your gutters are clean and free of debris. By keeping out leaves, pine needles, and other debris, gutter guards may help maintain your gutters in good condition.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Water Damage
A clogged gutter will overflow, and water will build up on the roof when it does. It can cause shingles to break apart and even seep into your home at joint points like the fascia board or soffit.
Over time, clogged gutters can also create wood rot and other problems, including mold and mildew. It isn’t just unsightly and unattractive; it can be a serious health hazard for your family.
Clogged gutters can also cause overflow to spill over your garden, flower beds or trees. It can wash away your mulch and kill or damage your plants. It can also be damaging to your foundation. Clean gutters allow water and snow to flow naturally and properly away from your home. Without this, you risk everything from bees’ nests to basement flooding. It is why homeowners and renters alike should make sure to clean their gutters regularly. Gutter cleaning averts the need for expensive repairs and upkeep.
They Can Damage Your Siding
Clogged gutters that collect debris can cause them to rust or fall off. They can also promote mold and mildew growth on the siding of your home, which may require expensive repairs to fix. In addition, a dirty-looking house can decrease its curb appeal and lower its resale value. Gutters channel water away from the roof and your home’s foundation. When they are clogged, excess water pools around the foundation, which can cause cracks. It may allow water to leak into the basement, resulting in substantial damage that would be costly. Clogged gutters can also become breeding grounds for pests, including mice and rats. These pests can make you and your family sick and damage your home’s interior.
They Can Damage Your Foundation
Although gutters are intended to collect and transport water away from a building’s foundation, blocked drains can damage water. It can be especially dangerous if you have a basement. Water can collect around your home’s foundation if your gutter system isn’t working correctly, which might eventually lead to cracking and weakening. Future costly repairs may result from it.
Clean gutters can also prevent mildew and mold growth in your walls, ceilings, floors, and personal belongings. It is a health hazard for your family because it can lead to breathing and other problems. Clogged gutters can also provide breeding grounds for rodents and mosquitoes. The twigs and leaves that build up in clogged gutters can offer the perfect conditions for these pests to breed, which can then spread diseases and other threats to your health. It is why keeping your gutters clean is so important.
