The Benefits of Cleaning Your Gutters
We all know that keeping your gutters clean is an essential part of protecting your roof and your home, but do you know what kind of damage dirty gutters can cause? You might not think dirty gutters are a big deal—after all, they're just up there collecting leaves, dirt, and other debris. But taking time to ensure your gutters are clean throughout the year can save you in the long run. Clogged gutters can cause structural damage, water damage, mould and mildew growth on your roof and siding and leaking downspouts (which means… more mildew!) Cleaning your gutters regularly will ensure they are free of debris and work as intended, keeping your roof and home safe. This blog will tell you the benefits of cleaning your gutters. Read on to find out!
Clean gutters are crucial for protecting your home from many types of damage. Gutters clog when debris like leaves, sticks and other materials obstruct the flow of rainwater or snowmelt through them. Clogged gutters, especially in the winter, can lead to ice dams that potentially damage your roof, causing structural damage. Clogged gutters can cause snowmelt and rainwater to flow over the edge of your eavestrough system instead of through it. This water can cause damage to your roofing system, basement or foundation. Water can also back up and pool on your roof and, in the worst cases, seep into the seams or soffits of your home's siding. Keeping your gutters clear and debris-free will keep your roof and home safe from severe and costly damage.
Keeping your gutters clean will prevent water from seeping into your home and causing potentially dangerous mould to grow in your home. If gutters are sufficiently clogged, it can cause water to overflow onto the walls of your home. Over time, water can leak into the wood framing of your walls and ceiling, causing rot and mould. Aside from causing damage to the structure of your roof or your home, water leaking from clogged gutters can also cause mould to grow in some regions of your house. Mould and algae on your roof can also eat away at your shingles and leave you with expensive repairs. By keeping your eavestroughs clean, you're also helping to eliminate a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry a variety of diseases. Gutters blocked with leaves and other debris and peeling paint tend to collect standing water, making a perfect home for mosquito larvae. Keeping your gutters clean will help prevent algae, mould and mildew growth and help keep your home free of pests like mosquitos.
The point of gutters is to direct rainwater away from your house and into the drain. If your gutters are blocked, the water won't be able to flow through them. Instead, it will collect in your gutters and overflow, causing damage to your home's exterior such as:
- rotting fascia boards
- peeling paint
- flooded basements
- landscape erosion and plant damage
You'll want to make sure you keep those gutters free from debris so that water can flow freely through them. As we stated above, water trapped on your roof can cause damage to the roof or even leak into your home and cause damage on the inside. In addition, when it gets cold enough in wintertime, and the leaves clog the gutter, it causes ice dams, leading to extensive damage because of all the weight pressing down on your shingles. Ensure you clean your gutters or have them professionally cleaned at least twice a year to prevent damage.
Regularly cleaning out leaf debris, sticks, and other obstructions from your gutters is essential for maintaining them. Unwanted materials in your gutter can cause a clog, resulting in water overflow that could damage your home's fascia board or soffit. In addition, you may even experience interior water leaks that can cause permanent structural damage to your home. You should check for clogged gutters at least twice a year—once in the spring and fall. If you plan on cleaning your eavestroughs yourself, you will need to make sure you have the right equipment and take the appropriate safety precautions. A ladder, a pair of rubber gloves and a harness are essential items to have on hand when it comes time to clean out your gutter system. If you're not sure where to begin or you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself, call a professional! They will have the right equipment and will be able to spot any other potential issues with your roof or gutter system and make suggestions on how to fix them!
Cleaning out your gutters helps prevent ice dams, water seeping into your home and rotting out the wood, standing water where mosquitoes can breed, algae from growing on your roof or mildew from growing on the siding. Clearing leaves and other debris out of your gutters will help ensure that rainwater and snowmelt can drain properly away from your roof and home. If you're worried about your gutters, give the expert roofing contractors at United Roofing & Exteriors a call! We offer maintenance and repair services for your eavestroughs to keep your home safe and dry. Contact us today!