When's the last time your gutters were cleaned? It's a question every homeowner should ask themselves. Making sure your gutters are clear and debris-free is essential to ensuring your home remains in tip-top shape. You may be surprised to know just what sort of damage a clogged gutter can cause.
It's not just your gutters that can suffer damage from being clogged. Overflowing water can be detrimental to other parts of your home too. From wooden fascia boards to your home's electrical system, there's a lot at stake if you don't look after your home's gutters.
It's important to know what kind of damage clogged gutters cause in order to avoid it in the first place. If you see any tell-tale signs of damage from blocked gutters, it's time to clean them out! The longer you neglect your gutters, the more costly it could be for you in the future.
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Structural damage
Clogged gutters can cause excess water to overflow and collect around the foundations of your home. If left unchecked, this excess water can cause cracks in the foundation. When your home's foundation is damaged it can lead to a structural damage to your home.
The wooden components that hold up your home's gutters are called fascia boards. Not all homes have these, but those that do are at risk of water damage. Clogged gutters can expose fascia boards to excess amounts of water over time. This constant exposure can lead these boards to deteriorate and rot.
Keep an eye out for any signs of water damage to the fascia boards. Damage can include cracks and peeling of the paint. These boards can also warp over time from excess water exposure. These are just some of the clogged gutter problems you can avoid if your gutters are properly maintained.
Inside your home
It's not just the outside of your home that's at risk of water damage. Clogged gutters can cause serious damage to the inside of your home as well. As water seeps through to the inside of your roof, electrical systems, appliances, and furniture are all at risk of water damage.
Components of your home like walls, doors, and window frames are not designed to withstand excess water exposure. If left unchecked, window frames and plaster ceilings can rot and weaken. Doors and door frames can warp from exposure to water. You'll notice when doors in your home swell up and suddenly become harder to close.
Tell-tale signs of water damage to your ceiling could be mould and cracks appearing. This is due to a combination of moisture and changing temperatures. If you see any of these warning signs, check your gutters immediately.
Pests
Clogged gutters can lead to a pest infestation. The excess water in your gutters can harbour insects and parasites. The moist conditions are ideal for mosquitoes, cockroaches, and flies that can all carry diseases.
Pests breeding in your gutters can expose your family to nasty germs and parasites. The result can be your family members suffering from ailments such as asthma and allergies. The warm conditions in summer make clogged gutters a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. So if you notice a large population of mosquitoes in your backyard, check the gutters first!
It's not just your family's health that's at risk when it comes to pests. Insects like termites love the damp environment created by clogged gutters. If termites get the opportunity to nest and breed, they can cause serious damage to the wooden parts of your roofing.
Why you should call a professional
If you care about the condition of your home, cleaning your gutters is essential. You put your home at risk of damage every time you neglect your clogged gutters. Try checking your gutters on a monthly basis to ensure they're efficiently draining storm water away from your roof.
A professional gutter cleaner may seem pricey, but consider how expensive it would be if you left your clogged gutter problems unchecked. Repairing or replacing your roofing is more expensive than booking the services of a gutter cleaner.
There's also the issue of safety. We're not all trained professionals like Bax when it comes to gutter cleaning. Cleaning your own gutters is a safety risk, and professional gutter cleaners have the right equipment and training to safely carry out a gutter cleaning service.
So when you call on the services of a professional gutter cleaner, you're investing in the maintenance of your home. You'll save money on costly repairs and maintenance that you'd rather spend on more important things. Your home and your family will be better off. So look after your gutters and they'll look after you.
