Gutter cleaning ensures that water is properly directed away from the home’s foundation, preventing damage and saving money on expensive repairs. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
Gutter Cleaning Summerville SC also eliminates nesting and breeding areas for pests like rats, mice, frogs, mosquitoes, etc.
A gutter’s purpose is to divert rainwater away from the house, but when it’s clogged, water can flow over the side of the gutter and down the walls of the home. The overflow can lead to rotting wood, damp carpeting and other moisture damage inside the home. It can also cause soil erosion and washout of landscaping around the foundation, which can damage and even destroy bushes, flower beds and shrubs.
Water from clogged gutters can leak into the attic, causing roof and ceiling damage. Damp rafters and joists, wet insulation and staining on the attic ceiling are sure signs that water is seeping through the roof. Routine gutter cleaning can prevent this from happening, as it removes debris that might block the flow of rainwater.
Leaking gutters can also spill over the sides of the house, soaking wall materials and creating musty odors. Damp and moldy window sills and door frames, peeling wallpaper and discolored paint are other common signs of a clogged gutter. When the gutters are leaking, it’s important to document all water damage to the home so that you can file an insurance claim.
Clogged gutters can also encourage insect infestations inside the home. Standing water and debris provide perfect conditions for mosquitoes, ants, carpenter bees and other pests to make their homes. These insects will swarm around the clogged gutter, and they can easily enter the home through open windows or doors. Regular gutter cleaning helps to keep these pests away from the house by removing their ideal habitats.
If you notice a buildup of dirt and grime on the gutters, it’s time to clean them out. Use a ladder, gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from cuts and splinters while you clean out the gutter. Once you’ve cleared out the clogs, run water through the gutter to make sure it flows down the downspout properly. If it doesn’t, you may need to install a new gutter system. If you’re unsure how to clean your gutters, it’s best to call a professional who offers a full range of residential and commercial services, including gutter maintenance.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Foundation Damage
Clogged gutters cause water to spill over the sides and pool around your foundation. This can erode the soil surrounding your foundation, which weakens walls and causes foundation cracks and settling. This damage is expensive to repair and can lead to the need for basement flood control or a costly foundation replacement. Gutter cleaning ensures that water drains away from your house and into a safe drainage area.
Standing water that accumulates in clogged gutters is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. The mosquitoes can spread disease in your family and pets, while the other pests can breed in the damp environment and eat wood rot and other materials that can damage your home and its structure. Gutter cleaning removes the debris that attracts these pests and allows them to breed in a safer, drier environment.
Gutters and downspouts are designed to channel rainwater away from your home’s foundation, but a clogged gutter can’t do its job properly. As the water from a storm falls over the roof, it flows into the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can lead to the overflow of water that carries debris and leaves from the top of the roof to the bottom, where it pools around the foundation. This can erode the soil that supports the foundation, which can cause cracks and sinking over time.
The overflow of water from a clogged gutter can also cause the soil near the foundation to wash away, which can also deteriorate concrete and steel support structures, including joists, basement columns, and beams. The weakened wood can then rot, soften, or break and create further problems for your home’s foundation. Gutter cleaning prevents overflow and keeps the soil surrounding your foundation healthy.
While climbing a ladder to unclog your gutters is an option, it’s often best to hire a professional. A trained gutter technician can remove the clog and inspect your gutters for any additional issues that may require attention, such as leaks or overhanging branches or leaves. They can recommend the proper size gutters for your home to avoid future clogs and to ensure that your gutter system is working well.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Mold Growth
When gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks and roof sediment, they can’t redirect water from the roof as designed. This impedes proper drainage and forces rainwater to flow over the sides of your home, which can saturate exterior walls, leak into siding cracks and cause unsightly stains. Over time, this moisture promotes mold growth. This hidden moisture also triggers the deterioration of fascia boards, eaves and other roof and exterior components, shortening their lifespan.
Gutter cleaning eliminates this buildup to help maintain your roof’s integrity. This is important as overflowing rainwater can cause a number of health and safety hazards. It can fuel the growth of mildew and mold that contaminate indoor spaces, triggering allergies and respiratory problems for family members. In addition, it can lead to basement flooding, affecting furniture and electronics housed in the area.
Clogged gutters can also lead to soil erosion and foundation damage. Water that overflows from clogged gutters falls directly around the foundation, soaking into soil and shifting the structure of the building. This can weaken the foundation, causing cracks in basement walls and other structural issues.
Gutters can be a vital part of your home’s safety and efficiency, but only when they are working properly. Regular gutter cleaning helps prevent health and safety hazards, water and structural damage and improves the life of your home. Contact a professional gutter cleaning service to schedule your gutter maintenance. They will inspect the system for signs of overflow, clogging, sagging and other problems and remove any debris that has accumulated. They can also install new downspouts and ensure they are properly angled to redirect water away from the house. They will check for any signs of rust, corrosion or damage to the gutters and downspouts and make any necessary repairs. Then, they will clean and flush the gutters to remove any accumulated sediment and ensure they are functioning as intended. This will ensure your home’s drainage system is working as designed, preventing costly water and foundation damage in the future.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Roof Damage
When gutters are clogged, rainwater is unable to flow off the roof properly. The water accumulates and seeps into the fascia, causing damage. It can also seep into the walls of your home, leading to water damage and mold. Additionally, clogged gutters can exacerbate problems with ice dams in colder climates.
Water damage caused by clogged gutters can be expensive to repair. The best way to prevent this is by regularly cleaning your gutters.
Gutter cleaning is not a fun or easy job, but it’s important to do in order to protect your home from serious damage. The most common problem caused by clogged gutters is water damage. If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, they can become overflowing and start leaking. Water that backs up over time can cause wood rot and even lift shingles, which can lead to costly roof repairs. It can also cause water to flood basements and crawl spaces, resulting in water damage to furniture, toys, and valuables stored in those areas.
The stagnant water and damp mud caused by clogged gutters can also create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and Zika. The pests can also enter your home and cause more problems, such as termite infestations.
Another problem that can result from clogged gutters is the buildup of moss and lichen. These organisms love the damp environment that clogged gutters provide, and they can eat away at the foundation of your home. This can lead to major foundation damage that is not covered by most homeowners insurance policies.
Gutters are designed to divert rainwater away from the foundation of your house, but if they’re clogged, they can’t do this. The water that pools around the foundation can cause erosion, which can weaken the walls of your home and lead to cracks in the structure. It can also cause the basement to flood and lead to mold growth. If this happens, it’s important to contact a professional to fix the issue.