This Is What You Need to Know About Clogged Gutters
May 04, 2021This Is What You Need to Know About Clogged Gutters
Thursday, April 23rd, 2020
Your gutters have one of the most important responsibilities in protecting your home. They are designed to divert the flow of water away from your home. If they’re not able to do their job efficiently, your home is susceptible to costly damages. This is why it’s critical to keep your gutters clean of leaves, dirt, and debris, or invest in a seamless gutter system that you don’t have to maintain.
So, what could happen if your gutters are clogged?
1. Foundation Issues
If you have a 2,000-square-foot home, every inch of rain translates to more than 1,200 gallons of water pouring down your roof! A properly functioning gutter will carry that water through a downspout and away from your home. But a clogged gutter does the opposite—allowing water to spill over the sides and pour down your walls. Pooling water around your foundation can cause erosion, which weakens the walls, leading to foundation cracks and settling.
2. Broken/Cracked Gutters
When your gutters are clogged, the water they collect has no place to go. Instead, it fills your gutters to the brim. With each gallon of water weighing about 8 pounds, all that extra weight can bend your gutters or tear them away from the roof. Additionally, clogged gutters can lead to cracked gutters, and at that point, your gutters are as useless as bucket with a hole at the bottom.
3. Destroyed Landscaping
When gutters are clogged and water overflows and run over your landscaping, it can damage flower beds, shrubs, trees, and even wash away mulch.
4. Basement Flooding
If your basement isn’t waterproofed, the water pouring down your foundation can lead to a damp basement. This is caused by water seeping through your basement’s porous walls and floor.
5. Pest Infestations
It’s common for standing water to be a breeding ground for mosquitos and pests. Additionally, damp mud and leaves can also be an inviting place for bees and wasps to build their nests.
8. Wall and Ceiling Damage
Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks on the inside of your home. Trapped water can rot the wooden fascia boards your gutters are mounted to, letting moisture enter your home. And in the winter months, ice dams can drive snow melt underneath your shingles.
These are only a few of the many expensive problems clogged gutters can cause. It’s in your best interest to ensure your gutters stay clean and working properly. This will save you both time and money in the long run.
