The Effects of Failing to Clean Your Gutters Regularly

A roof is not as reliable as most people think unless it has gutters. In many cases, gutters get completely overlooked. Don’t make that mistake. They are just as important as the rest of the roofing system when it comes to protecting your home and improving its overall performance.

Winter is rapidly approaching, and the fall season has already engulfed us. This has resulted in more vegetation building up in the gutters. What happens if you don’t clean your gutters? 

1. Water Damage to the Lower Story

You might believe that the exterior of your home is completely sealed off. However, water can seep in through gaps along the outside of your house. A clogged gutter is to blame when people’s basements, lower garages, and first stories flood. 

The drainage tubes become clogged with leaves, causing water to build up and finally overflow. This could result in tens of thousands of dollars in damages. 

2. Presence of Rodents and Insects

Clogs develop when gutters have been neglected for an extended period of time. When your gutters are clogged and it rains, it can lead to many issues, where insect and rodent infestation being the most hazardous.  

Standing water cannot drain in a clogged gutter, so the water becomes a mosquito breeding habitat. Mosquitoes and other insects congregate around stagnant water and become food for rodents. If there are rats and mosquitoes on your property, it could be harmful to your health.

3. Formation of Mould and Mildew

Mould and mildew growth is another issue that poor gutter maintenance can cause. Dead, decomposing leaves and other organic matter caught in your gutter are their favourite food source.

Additionally, any moisture will hasten their growth. This makes the wood in your roofing substrate susceptible to mould and mildew growth.

4. Cosmetic Roof Damage

Soffits and fascia can be damaged by water in gutters that freezes and floods. This will, at the least, result in cosmetic damage to your home’s roofline. At worst, it can impact your ventilation and heating/cooling bills. 

5. Damages on Landscaping Supplies

This isn’t as physically severe as the other damages on the list, but it may be very costly if you’ve spent money on mulch, sod, or topsoil for your landscaping. Heavy downpours can easily cause clogged drains to overflow, and the extra water can damage your sod, wash away your mulch, and start to erode the topsoil. Your grass, plants, and flowers are also a cause for concern.

6. Frozen Water

Low temperatures, rain, and clogged drains are a recipe for disaster. The dammed-up water in your gutter lines may freeze in cold weather. Dams over water are an issue for several reasons. They risk causing your gutters to overflow and break beneath the weight of the ice. 

Additionally, it may cause ice dams on your roof, which may seriously damage the decking and shingles. Ice can press and extend the gutter material due to freezing and thawing, leading to cracks and other damage.

Conclusion

Given their significance as a component of our roofing system, we should pay attention to and take good care of the gutters. This will not only maintain the appearance of our property, but it will also allow us to save money on maintenance cost

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