Clearing out your clogged gutters may not be very high up on your to-do list, but perhaps it should be. There are many kinds of damage that can occur when you leave clogged gutters alone for too long. If this sounds like you, it may be time to call in a professional gutter cleaning service.
Here are the top five problems that your clogged gutters can cause.
Damage to Your Roof
The purpose of your gutters is to redirect rainwater and other types of precipitation away from your home in order to prevent costly damage. When gutters are all clogged up, they actually do the opposite of what they are intended to do. Trapped water can wear away at your roof, which can cause the underlying wood to rot and the surface materials to wear away.
Damage to Walls, Windows, and Doors
Your walls, window frames, and doors are exactly the kinds of things that your gutters are designed to protect. When water leaks down onto them, they can quickly begin to warp and wear out. Replacing any one of these items is a lot more costly than clearing out your gutters!
Damage to Your Home's Foundation
Clogged gutters can lead to water pooling around your home’s foundation, which can, in turn, lead to slow erosion and eventual cracking. That’s not an easy fix to make, and it can lead to a wide array of other issues with your home, including a flooded basement, if the build-up of water is not addressed promptly.
Damage to Your Gutters
Gutters can only sustain so much weight before the attachments that fasten them to your roof give way. This may mean that you’ll not only have to replace your gutters, but you’ll have to fix any damage to the wood fascia along the perimeter of your roof, as well.
Danger to You and Your Visitors
With water pooling in unwanted areas around your yard, your guests and family members are in danger of slipping and falling, particularly when temperatures are below freezing and that water has the chance to turn into ice.
Are Your Gutters Clogged?
If you’re dealing with clogged gutters, contact the gutter cleaning specialists at Chesapeake Property Services