Gutter Cleaning removes dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris from gutters and downspouts. Regular gutter cleaning significantly reduces the risk of water overflow and protects a home or business’s roof, walls, foundation, and landscaping.
Gutter cleaning is typically done by climbing on ladders and using specialized tools. Professionals follow strict safety protocols to minimize risks and ensure a thorough job.
Gutter clogs prevent rainwater from draining properly, leaving it to pool on your roof. This can damage shingles, underlayment and decking. Water trapped under shingles can also freeze, leading to leaks when it melts.
If left unchecked, a clogged gutter may cause your roof to sag or pull away from the house, resulting in unsightly mud puddles and possible foundation damage. A clogged gutter can also strain the fasteners to which fascia boards are attached, causing them to pull away from the home.
Rainwater that can’t escape a clogged gutter will flow down the exterior wall and cause wood framing, shingle underlayment and insulation to rot and mold. If the rotting of these materials extends to the fascia board, it can cause cracks in the house’s foundation.
Clogged gutters can also create a habitat for mosquitoes, which love the swampy environment that standing gutter water provides. Mosquitoes aren’t the only insects that can be attracted to clogged gutters: ants, termites and other wood-eating pests can also find shelter in the debris and standing water of a clogged gutter.
A clogged gutter can also encourage weeds and other unwanted plants to grow along the edge of your home. These weeds can crowd out your garden and landscaping, and may even cause a weedy or overgrown appearance to the exterior of your home.
Another issue that can be caused by clogged gutters is a basement flood. The excess water that pools in a clogged gutter can seep into the lowest part of your basement, damaging furniture and other belongings. The water can also leak into walls and floors, causing mildew or even mold. If you’re worried about the state of your home’s basement, consider investing in a French drain to help prevent flooding and overflow.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Water Damage
A clogged gutter can cause water damage to the roof, walls, and basement of your home. Gutters are designed to channel rainwater away from your foundation, but if they’re clogged with debris, water can overflow and soak the soil around your foundation. This can lead to cracks in the foundation and other structural damage to your house. It can also lead to flooding in basements and other crawl spaces, which can damage stored items and cause mold and mildew.
Rainwater that doesn’t flow properly from your gutters may also cause wood rot on your roof and attic floor. It can also saturate the sheetrock that supports your ceiling, leading to a damp basement or other rooms in your house. Wet sheetrock will eventually fall apart, causing a hole in the ceiling or walls. The problem will only get worse, as the rot and dampness spread to other areas of your house.
Clogged gutters can also be a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes and wasps. Standing water in a clogged gutter provides a perfect environment for these pests, which can then enter your home and cause further problems. Regularly cleaning your gutters can help prevent these infestations and keep them from occurring in the first place.
Gutter cleaning isn’t an easy or fun job, but it’s important to do to protect your property and avoid costly repairs. If you’ve been putting off this task, now is the time to get it done.
If you’re concerned about the condition of your gutters, give us a call. We can assess the situation and offer a recommendation for cleaning. We’ll help you create a maintenance schedule that will keep your gutters in good condition. We can also provide a quote for any necessary repair work. Contact us today to schedule a free estimate. We look forward to hearing from you!
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Mold and Mildew
When gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs and other debris, water no longer diverts away from the home, creating damp areas that serve as ideal breeding grounds for mold and mildew. These fungi aren’t just unsightly, but they can also be harmful to health. Exposure to these mould spores can cause respiratory issues like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, and they can exacerbate conditions like asthma. Mold spores are also known to trigger allergic reactions, including sneezing, itching and eye irritation, and they can suppress the immune system.
When left unchecked, clogged gutters can promote moisture damage to the attic space, siding and walls of your home. This allows hidden mold colonies to grow and thrive out of sight, and over time they release mycotoxins into the air that you breathe every day. The unhealthy contaminants from these unchecked moist areas circulate throughout your home and into living spaces via air vents, attic spaces and gaps around doors and windows.
Dirty gutters can become an inviting home for unwanted pests like rats, mice and squirrels, who may seek shelter inside the clogged materials. Additionally, the twigs and other organic debris provide a good food source for termites, carpenter bees and wood-destroying bees, which can wreak havoc on your yard, home, foundation and roof.
Regular gutter cleanings and installing gutter guards can prevent clogging, allowing rainwater to flow freely and keeping the underlying soil underneath dry. In addition, homeowners should routinely inspect their gutters and downspouts to spot problems, such as leaks or signs of rusting, and make necessary repairs immediately. It’s also recommended that homeowners monitor indoor humidity levels to ensure they don’t exceed 50%, which is the optimal level for preventing moisture damage and mold/mildew growth.
Clogged Gutters Can Lead to Pests
Gutters that are full of standing water attract mosquitoes, flies and rodents. They can also give rise to infestations of termites and carpenter ants, who love the wet environment that clogged gutters provide. These insects can eat away at your roof and foundation, leading to expensive repairs and even structural damage.
Clogged gutters can also be a breeding ground for weeds. Weeds thrive in moist, warm conditions and sprout up from any little bit of dirt or seed that can find their way into your gutters. The best way to avoid this is by cleaning your gutters regularly, pruning trees that overhang your home and adding a gutter guard system to your gutters.
As you clean your gutters, it is important to wear eye protection. This is because a clogged gutter can throw debris, including leaves and twigs, at high speeds. This can cause eye injuries if you are not careful. If you have to use a ladder to reach the highest part of your gutters, be sure to take a moment to check that it is safe and secure before using it.
The dirt and other debris that gathers in your gutters can also be an inviting place for pests like mice, rats, birds, squirrels and raccoons to build their nests. This can lead to further clogging and damage. It can also create a health and safety hazard as these rodents can carry serious diseases.
The accumulated moisture and decaying organic material in your gutters can also be a breeding ground of molds and other fungi. These can then spread to other areas of your home, creating further problems. Fungi and molds can also rot wood, further damaging your gutters and causing them to break down or collapse. This can then lead to further costly repairs. Gutter cleaning can prevent these issues, helping to extend the lifespan of your gutters and protect your home from costly repair bills. If you are concerned about the state of your gutters, contact a professional to arrange for gutter cleaning. This can help to reduce the risk of further damage, as well as preventing potential pest infestations and other issues.
