Gutter cleaning – Never on the top of anyone’s to do list! It’s usually one of those, I’ll get round to it jobs that we always put to the back of our minds. There are however a number of problems that can arise from debris building up.
The gutters on your home serve a critical service for your home. If water is not able to properly flow away from your house, then damage can result in a number of different locations, from your roofing to your foundation. Whilst there is a number of different reasons to keep your gutters cleaned out we have listed the 5 top problems caused by blocked gutters.
- Roof / Ceiling Damage:
Clogged gutters can result in water that stands for hours, or longer, blocking the flow of water from the roof. This can leak into ceiling cavities and cause ceilings to sag and eventually collapse, ruining internal decoration, home’s contents and potentially harm the occupants of the home.
- Damage to Facia
Water backed up in gutters is heavy which can cause the gutter attachments to pull away from the wood fascia it is attached to, damaging the wood. Water spilling over the edges of gutters and onto the wood fascia boards will also cause the wood to rot and weaken.
- Damage to Walls, Windows, Doors and Patios
Water that spills over the gutter edges falls onto walls, window frames, doors and whatever surface is below. These features of your home are not designed to have this much water contact. They count on your gutters and downspouts doing their job in order to last longer. Eventually this extra water contact will cause these features of your home to rot, warp and weaken.
- Damage to Foundations and Landscaping
The entire structure of your home is supported by the foundation. Excess water contact in this area can cause your foundation to leak, shift, and crack or even sink. Having clean gutters and downspouts will allow water to be carried away from your home and foundation to points where it can be easily absorbed into the ground or drainage system. Your landscaping also suffers when this excess water falls on trees, plants and flowers. Too much water directed in one spot can be a bad thing!
- Insects
Removing moisture and debris from your gutters is one of the most effective steps you can take to keep your home insect-free, along with twigs, leaves and other materials that pests love to use as both shelter and a food source.
If cleaning out your gutters is not something that you are going to do or can safely do, it is best to engage in a professional to undertake the task.
Anita Genrich – Orbit Property
