Clogged gutters are more than just a hassle to clean, as they can actually cause damage to your home and cause roof leaks when it rains a lot. Uncovered gutters are designed to channel water through the gutter, to the downspouts and away from your home. Clogged gutters will cause water to accumulate and settle on the roof. That water will seep into your home and damage your shingles, roof, and more.
It can also cause the gutter system to deform and become heavy before it detaches from your home structure and takes part of the roof with it. Yes, you heard it here first. The purpose of your gutter system is to direct water away from your roof and away from the side of your house. A clogged gutter can't do any of these things effectively, if at all.
As the gutter overflows, water will build up again on the roof, causing excessive damage to the shingles. You'll also see an increased risk of roof subsidence, cracks, and leaks. Any sign of stains on your home's siding can be a sign of standing water in your gutter system. Stagnant rainwater could end up causing costly damage to the fascia boards behind gutters and to your roof shingles.
When gutters become clogged, water flows down the side of the house, exposing the foundation to excessive moisture. Over time, this can cause the base to crack, and before long, you'll have water in your basement. A damp basement is an open invitation to mold, and mold can lead to several health problems. It's much easier to clean gutters than it is to dry and repair a leaking basement.
If the gutters are made of lower quality materials or if they are allowed to sag long enough, the damage will be excessive and the gutters may need to be replaced or repaired. LeafFilter Gutter Protection installs right on top of existing gutters, preventing debris, leaves, tile sand, pine needles, everything but water, from entering and clogging gutters. Clogged gutters mean gutters that don't work efficiently (or even at all), because obstructions cause the gutters to overflow and you don't even want to go there. Learn more here about why gutter cleaning is essential to prevent roof leaks and other damage to your home.
Your gutter system should be cleaned every season to ensure that your home is properly protected against costly water-related damage. Clogged gutters leave your home with no way to drain water after a heavy rain, allowing it to remain stagnant in the gutter channel. Stains on the lining or on the downspouts and gutters are a telltale sign that the gutters have overflowed due to a blockage. If clogged gutters are a frequently encountered problem, it may be time for a new gutter system.
You're probably not surprised to hear this, and we bet you might not even remember the last time you checked to make sure the gutters were clean. If you have an entrance, you risk damage or destruction in the same way if you don't regularly clean the gutters to avoid blockages. Fallen gutters on their own aren't particularly damaging to your property as a whole, but as they begin to move away from your roof, the gutters could come off and bring with them some of the outside of your home. That's because cleaning gutters can help prevent anything from honeycombs to a bad foundation.
If you live in an area with pine trees, you'll need to clean the gutters more than once a year.
Leave Reply