The gutters and downspouts on your house are a simple design that just works. Until it doesn’t. When it rains and something is blocking up the works, poorly functioning gutters can damage your home. Here are some key reasons why it’s important to clean and inspect gutter systems at least twice a year to prevent rainwater from creating issues both inside and outside the home.
Plugged-up gutters lead to leaky roofs: When gutters get clogged, rainwater doesn’t have anywhere to go and will back up onto and through the roofing structure. It can also travel through cracks in the siding which eventually results in water damage inside the home. This will appear as ugly stains on your walls and ceilings. Clean gutters prevent these types of leaks and keep water off the roof and away from the house.
Poor drainage can impact a home’s foundation: In cases where water tends to pool near the house every time it rains, it can lead to erosion, cracks, shifting, and settling in the foundation. Your gutters are meant to preserve the foundation and the downspouts should move water a safe distance from the home. Ignoring gutters that aren’t doing this job well can be costly in the long run.
Prevent basement flooding: As mentioned above, keeping water away from the foundation is critical. Ineffective gutters and downspouts can’t compete with heavy storms especially when properties have poorly sloped landscaping that doesn’t funnel rainwater away from the house. If gutters aren’t cleaned and maintained regularly you could end up with a flooded crawl space and significant damage to utilities and property.
Preserve your landscaping: Flower beds, mulch, shrubbery, and other landscaping features can be damaged when gutters overflow, or downspouts aren’t diverting rainwater efficiently. Clogged gutters can lead to overwatering plants and poor positioning of downspouts can wash out mulch and soil.
Keep pests away from the home: Gutters that are clogged with debris create a perfect spot for insects and even rodents to move into. It’s not uncommon to find carpenter ants or termites living in clogged gutter systems. Once there’s an infestation, insect damage to the wood fascia and the structure of your home isn’t far behind.
Protect the fascia: When clogged gutters don’t drain, the weight of rainwater and debris that collects in them can eventually cause the gutters to break away from the fascia. This damage to the roofing structure creates a situation where there’s a high chance of damage to the roof, shingles, and eventually the home’s foundation.
How is your gutter system working?
Cavalry Roof’s expert staff can assess the effectiveness of your gutters, repair any existing issues, provide a better gutter solution, and even install new gutters to protect your home. Contact us today at (919) 888-1906 to learn more about our services and schedule a free estimate.
