We tell you about the dangers of clogged gutters.
Gutter cleaning is an unpleasant but necessary chore. While many of us put off doing so because we don’t want to climb a ladder or not sure how to clean gutters might lead to negative consequences. There’s no reason to put off this task when you can hire a professional to complete it in an afternoon. Learn why you should schedule an appointment right away or risk the risks of not having your gutters cleaned.
WEAKENED FOUNDATION
Guttering’s primary function is to redirect water away from your property. When your gutters are blocked, they can’t accomplish their job effectively. Blocked gutters can lead to overflowing gutters and water seeping down to the foundation of your property. The earth beneath your foundation can shift and crack because of the water. When water gets into these fractures and freezes, it might cause foundation cracks. Your house is truly on the unsteady ground if this happens. Water damage might cause structural failure in a home in extreme circumstances
ROOF DAMAGE
Cleaning your gutters significantly impacts your home from top to bottom. When your gutters are filled with debris, rainwater cannot drain and collects in the gutters. Any shingles exposed to water will decay more quickly than the rest of your roof. If left addressed, these shingles continue to absorb water until they become saturated, causing damage to the roof deck. Water will seep into your home via your wet roof because of this. Your insulation will eventually be damp through, resulting in water damage to your ceiling.
Can clogged gutters cause basement flooding?
When your gutter water has nowhere else to go, your basement is the next place. The longer your gutters are clogged and dirty, the more water will pool around the base of your home. Water will leak into your basement walls when it overflows and runs down the side of your house. When this happens, it can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, foul odors, water damage, and, finally, flooding.
ICE BUILD-UP
Standing water in your gutters can eventually freeze if you leave it there long enough. Because of the increased weight of the ice, your gutters may get heavy and pull away from your house. As a result, fractures form, allowing snow, water, and ice to leak into your home. Extra weight on your gutters will damage your soffits and fascia and cause your gutters to sag as they become looser from your home. Your gutters may fall off your property if left unattended for a long time.
UNWANTED PESTS
Some bugs see clogged gutters full of leaves, debris, and standing water as a feast. Birds, mice, squirrels, termites, and mosquitoes will swarm your home, searching for accessible food sources. These pests might get into your home through holes in your roof or foundation as the weather begins to cool. There’s no reason for them to go when there’s plenty of food right outside their door. Save yourself the trouble of hiring an exterminator many times by having your gutters cleaned once a year.
RUINED LANDSCAPING
While a downpour can be beneficial to your plants, heavy rain mixed with clogged gutters can cause havoc with your landscape. Your gutters will overflow if there is nowhere for the rain to go, and the extra water will soak into your landscape. This excess water is capable of washing away mulch, topsoil, and sand, as well as killing flowers, shrubs, and trees.
TO CONCLUDE
You’re exposing your property to various threats by disregarding this one necessary chore. The possibility of damages is why it’s critical to keep your gutters in good functioning order so that they can do their job of diverting water away from your home. If you haven’t had your gutters cleaned in a while, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us at Glassmate immediately.
