5 Ways Dirty Gutters Can Damage Your Home
- By 7011813378
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- 07 Apr, 2021
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Are your gutters damaging your home?
They say April showers bring May flowers, but heavy spring storms can also bring damage to your home’s roof. If your storm gutters are dirty or clogged with debris, accumulated rainfall can lead to leaks and larger structural issues that may be pricey to repair. So while cleaning the gutters may not be high on your to-do list, remember that taking precautions now could save you a lot of time and money down the road. Here are a few unwanted consequences of having clogged gutters during the rainy season.
If you’re not checking your gutters regularly, the first sign of an issue may be water dripping from your ceiling. When gutters are clogged with leaves, dirt, and other debris, rainwater is not able to drain properly. This leads to water pooling in unwanted areas of your roof, and eventually to a leak. With regular rainfall in the spring, these leaks are bound to worsen and multiply if clogged gutters are not cleared.
Left unattended, standing water will lead to mold and wet, rotting wood in your roof, attic, and even the walls of your home. Not only is mold unsightly and bad for your health, it can also be very expensive to get rid of if not caught early.
3. Damage to the Foundation
When working properly, clear gutters carry water away from your home through a downspout. However, clogged gutters allow water to spill down the walls of your home and pool around the foundation, which can cause erosion, cracks, and settling. Because it is the most important part of your home’s structure, a damaged foundation can compromise the entire house.
4. Insect Infestations
Standing water can have so many consequences for your home, one of which is attracting unwanted pests. Pools of water make ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes while accumulated mud and wet leaves allow bees and wasps to build nests.
5. Decreased Roof Longevity
Most homeowners expect their new roof to last somewhere between 15 to 30 years. However, pooling water caused by clogged gutters can significantly shorten that lifespan. If you want to maintain the value of your home and extend the life of your roof, simply cleaning out your gutters can be an excellent way to prevent expensive repairs.
Leaks and structural damage caused by dirty gutters can be very pricey to fix. Luckily, they are also easy to prevent. Need help clearing the debris from your gutters? The professionals at Final Touch Construction and Remodeling have the tools to get the job done right.
