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Ask most anyone what kind of damage clogged gutters can cause, and you probably won't hear a detailed answer in response. And that's not surprising. We don't tend to think much about the ramifications a few leaves could cause. The reality is, the impact is (in some cases) severe. Foundation damage, flooded basements, rotted wood.
Unfortunately, we don't think much about any of this until it's too late. And in the worse case, we discover these issues at the most inopportune times. Either in the middle of the night, or by phone call from a neighbor while we're on vacation. |
We have to remember the function that gutters provide: moving thousands of of gallons of water off our roofs, and away from our houses each year. If you're gutters aren't functioning properly, that water could be causing damage to your home, foundation, or building.
First off, clogged gutters could end up ruining the rest of your gutters, or damage the installation or wood they're installed on. When a gutter downspout becomes clogged, generally your gutters fill up with water - as the natural drainage is obstructed. While a little water won't hurt, it's the big amounts we're worried about. If your gutters fill with water, they will become heavy, and could bend or warp. Worse, they could start to pull away from the fascia board (the long, flat wooden pieces just under the roof edge that guttering is typically attached to. Now we're talking about damage to the gutters themselves, and potentially to the edge of your roof. Repairs just got more expensive. Worse, gutters could start to pull away, or leak due to standing water - and send rainwater headed toward your walls or foundation.
If water starts to contact your walls, you run the risk of seepage, molding, inundated insulation, and (again) costly repairs. Worse, if you don't notice water seeping into or onto a wall, you're unlikely to notice the damage for some time - until repairs have become expensive.
If water seeps into a foundation, it can result in cracked brick or concrete, and can create mold growth in garages, basements, etc. Concrete and brick often crack when water seeps behind or around them, or when the building materials adjacent to them become waterlogged and expand. This, of course, isn't the type of damage anyone wants to find in their home, which is why it's best to take care of your gutters long before you get to this point.
These issues invite mold, insect growth and infestation, stained ceilings or walls, and could necessitate replacement of sections of your home or structure. Worse, if the damage is bad enough and the water flow high enough, these issues could lead to flooding of your home. This becomes challenging because some types of insurance are finnicky about flooding - and you could find yourself liable in the worse case scenarios - all because of a clogged gutter.
The good news is, these issues are easy to fix. With routine maintenance and cleaning twice each year, we can help keep your gutters in great shape.
Additionally, there are a few easy steps you can take on your own. Splash guards and drain guards can go a long way in moving water away from your foundation, and preventing clogs in the first place.
Give our team a call today, and we'll ensure you don't have to deal with any of the above.
First off, clogged gutters could end up ruining the rest of your gutters, or damage the installation or wood they're installed on. When a gutter downspout becomes clogged, generally your gutters fill up with water - as the natural drainage is obstructed. While a little water won't hurt, it's the big amounts we're worried about. If your gutters fill with water, they will become heavy, and could bend or warp. Worse, they could start to pull away from the fascia board (the long, flat wooden pieces just under the roof edge that guttering is typically attached to. Now we're talking about damage to the gutters themselves, and potentially to the edge of your roof. Repairs just got more expensive. Worse, gutters could start to pull away, or leak due to standing water - and send rainwater headed toward your walls or foundation.
If water starts to contact your walls, you run the risk of seepage, molding, inundated insulation, and (again) costly repairs. Worse, if you don't notice water seeping into or onto a wall, you're unlikely to notice the damage for some time - until repairs have become expensive.
If water seeps into a foundation, it can result in cracked brick or concrete, and can create mold growth in garages, basements, etc. Concrete and brick often crack when water seeps behind or around them, or when the building materials adjacent to them become waterlogged and expand. This, of course, isn't the type of damage anyone wants to find in their home, which is why it's best to take care of your gutters long before you get to this point.
These issues invite mold, insect growth and infestation, stained ceilings or walls, and could necessitate replacement of sections of your home or structure. Worse, if the damage is bad enough and the water flow high enough, these issues could lead to flooding of your home. This becomes challenging because some types of insurance are finnicky about flooding - and you could find yourself liable in the worse case scenarios - all because of a clogged gutter.
The good news is, these issues are easy to fix. With routine maintenance and cleaning twice each year, we can help keep your gutters in great shape.
Additionally, there are a few easy steps you can take on your own. Splash guards and drain guards can go a long way in moving water away from your foundation, and preventing clogs in the first place.
Give our team a call today, and we'll ensure you don't have to deal with any of the above.
