Spring Cleaning: 7 Reasons to Clean Your Gutters

7 Reasons to Clean Your Gutters

Spring is just around the corner. When it comes to the most important parts of your home, gutters are often overlooked. Gutter neglect can lead to several structural problems over time. Keeping your gutters clean and functional is a simple yet effective way to protect other parts of your home. Here are 7 reasons to make sure gutter maintenance is on your annual home-care checklist.

Damage to Your Fascia

The fascia is the board below your roofline that connects to the gutters. If you let your gutters get too clogged, water may overflow and damage the fascia boards. This could be an expensive repair as the fascia bears the load for all of your gutters.

Ice Blockage

If you live in a colder region, clogged water can quickly turn into ice and weigh down the gutter, ultimately causing costly damage.

Leaky Roofs

If your gutters are clogged, rain, ice, and moisture can accumulate on the roof instead of flowing down through the gutters and out to the drainage. On that note, once the water seeps through the roof, it can cause damage to your insulation, drywall, and plaster. This could result in mold which is not only costly but also dangerous to your health.

Cracks in Your Foundation

It's not just the roof that can be affected by clogged gutters. Overflowing water from gutters can go anywhere on and in the house. Water commonly runs all the way down your home's walls to the foundation. The water may get into any cracks, freeze, and aggravate any cracking in the foundation. Damage to your foundation is very costly, so it's important to make sure to examine it regularly.

Flooding

The last thing you want is to walk down to your basement and step in a pool of water. Overflowing gutters are commonly the cause of basement flooding. It's not just the interior of your house that you need to worry about when it comes to flooding. Overflowing gutters can flood your garden and lawn, and too much water is just as bad as not enough!

Pests

Insects and other critters love stagnant water, and if you don't clean your gutters, that stagnant water can become a breeding ground. Leaves and other build-up in your gutters may also become a home for rodents and birds.

Your Home's Value

Not only are clogged and damaged gutters an eyesore, but they also may affect the value of your home. Real estate professionals can easily spot damaged gutters, devaluing your entire home.

If you have questions about home maintenance, contact us! We are always happy to help!