Problems That Occur When You Don’t Clean Gutters

September 19, 2018

Gutters play a vital role in protecting your home – they carry water away from your residence to a proper drainage area. When gutters work efficiently, they can withstand large amounts of rainwater. Over time, however, debris can clog a gutter system, which is why manual gutter cleaning is a vital task for homeowners. If a gutter system isn’t routinely cleaned, the buildup can eventually cause water to backup and overflow, potentially leading to a range of issues.

Landscape Damage

When gutters overflow, the water falls on the grass and plants living around the home, eventually causing the plants to die. When this happens, the plants’ roots become unable to hold soil in place, so landscape erosion can occur.

Foundation Damage

If manual gutter cleaning is not performed and clogged gutters overflow, the water will likely drip along the home’s foundation. This can not only cause water damage, but can also lead to cracks in the home’s foundation or structural failure, in extreme cases.

Insect Infestation

The moist debris in a gutter is extremely attractive to insects, potentially leading to insect infestation in the home when the weather cools and forces the insects to move to a warmer habitat. Furthermore, termites and other wood-eating insects are attracted to rotting twigs and leaves in the gutters, and they can cause severe damage to a home if infestation occurs.

The Solution

To avoid these issues, it is important to perform manual gutter cleaning annually to keep your gutter system working properly. However, this is a tedious and potentially dangerous chore, and many homeowners are glad to know that there is another solution – gutter guards. These products prevent debris from entering your gutter system in the first place, ensuring that water continues to flow effectively through the gutters.

To learn about the impressive gutter guards manufactured by GutterDome, or for help finding one of our Dealers in your area, contact us today.