One of the most important parts of maintaining your home is making sure that your gutter system works properly. When it is not working, water can cause serious damage to your property. This can include mold and mildew growth, rotten wood fascia, rotted drywall, and countless other problems.
Clean gutters ensure that rainwater flows away from the house and is diverted to proper drainage systems. Without gutters, water will build up on your roof and damage your siding, roofing, and landscaping.
Gutters also protect your home from foundation damage. If rainwater is directed downhill, it can seep into your basement or other areas that may be vulnerable to flooding. It will not only cause structural damage, but it will also fuel the growth of mold and mildew that can irritate your respiratory system and lead to health complications.
Clogged gutters are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. This is because mosquitoes love standing water, and they will breed in any puddles that have formed after rain.
Mosquitoes and other pests can also cause damage to your home’s insulation, ceiling, and walls. They can also eat the insulation, damaging your home’s energy efficiency and leaving you to pay for costly repairs.
If your gutters are clogged, rainwater will not be able to drain properly and will overflow, which can then leak into the basement. This is a serious problem that requires professional repair and will likely result in the need to replace your entire roof.
Cracked or damaged shingles are another sign that your gutters are not performing their job correctly. When the gutters are clogged, water can leak underneath the shingles and penetrate into your home’s insulation. This can lead to severe and expensive repairs, including a new roof and the replacement of your shingles.
Keeping the Gutter Clear
Maintaining your gutters is a relatively simple process that requires little upkeep beyond sweeping them clean. The best time to do this is in the fall before leaves begin to accumulate on your roof.
Regularly cleaning by hiring a professional gutter cleaning service such as Gutter Cleaning Ithaca can help prevent roof leaks, which are extremely common problems that can be very costly to fix. A clogged gutter can also trap ice during the winter, which can significantly add weight to your roof and cause it to crack or break.
A clogged gutter will also block the downspout, which is the tube that diverts rainwater from your roof to the yard. This can also cause water to overflow the gutter, which is dangerous and may even rip your gutter apart.
