How often should you clean your gutters? Twice a year—once in the spring, and once in the fall. You don’t have to do it yourself either if you aren’t comfortable on a ladder; you can just hire a professional.
That way, you won’t have to worry about gutter clogs, which can lead to various problems.
Proper foundation drainage systems are essential because the water around or under the soil can cause most of the foundation problems. For example, excess water in the soil causes hydrostatic pressure to the foundation walls or basement walls, leading to foundation cracks. If you don’t fix the problem right away, it could lead to even more severe structural damage.
Interested in learning more about the importance of clearing gutters? If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over everything that you need to know below.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Clogged Gutters Can Cause Roof Damage
Water won’t be able to flow away properly if the gutters are clogged and that can lead to roof damage. If anything, it’s one of the main complications from clogged gutters.
For one thing, it can cause the roof to rot or crack, both of which can result in leaks. That’s not all—the water can also spill over the sides and damage the underlying materials.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may have to replace the whole thing and that can be quite costly.
There’s also the issue of mold and mildew. Over time, they can make their way into the house and trigger health issues such as throat irritation, cough, and wheezing.
2. Clogged Gutters Can Create a Fire Hazard
Debris such as leaves and branches can become a fire hazard, especially in hot and dry areas. Remember, all they need is a small spark to ignite. For example, they can catch on fire from flying embers if there’s a wildfire nearby.
Not only that but they can be ignited by sparks from fireworks or even a barbeque. From there, the fire can quickly spread to the rest of the roof (and house).
Electrical fires are a possibility as well. They can happen if the water from the clogged gutter seeps into the basement and reaches the electrical wiring.
3. Clogged Gutters Can Attract Unwanted Guests
Moisture and decaying organic matter in clogged gutters can attract many types of pests. For example, it can attract cockroaches, termites, and ants. Not only that, but it can cause squirrels, birds, possums, mice—even snakes to flock to the area.
Over time, that can pose a significant risk to the structure of your home. Take carpenter ants, for example, they can quickly damage the wood fascia around your home and that can be costly to repair.
Bird nests can also cause your gutter to split open at the seam if they get big enough.
Preventing Gutter Clogs
And there you have it—three reasons why gutter clogs should be cleared as soon as possible. As you can see, they can cause various problems from leaks to potential fires. Given that, it’s important that you clean them regularly.
Looking for more tips like this? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our home improvements section!
