4 Ways Clogged Gutters can Damage a Home

Roof and Gutters Power Cleaning Using Pressure Washer. Caucasian Worker.

Gutters play a huge role in structural integrity of a house, however it is “out of sight and out of mind” most of the time, which enables us to easily forget to clean gutters regularly. Accumulation of debris and leaves usually result in clogged gutters, which blocks the way for rain to go down to the drain.

It is a great way to avoid costly bills of gutter repair by keeping them clean. If you don’t manage to clean them, gutters would easily get clogged which results in serious issues and damage for the whole structure, and it also cause health hazards for you and your family. No matter how busy you are, make sure to clean your gutters regularly, especially during rainy season, and pay attention to signs of clogged gutters. If you fail to do what is mentioned above and it might become too late for you to reverse the situation when you find out the clogged cutters have damaged your house, you will have to call a gutter and downpipe replacement company and fork out thousands of dollars for a big replacement project.

Here I listed 4 ways how a home could be damaged when gutters get clogged.

1.   Foundation Damage

Foundation damage is the worst type of damage that clogged gutters can cause. The main function of gutters is to guide the water off the roof to the drain instead of dripping into the foundation of a house. Clogged gutters will cause rain water to pour over the sides of the gutter and pool down to the foundation. Over time, that can lead to cracks and damage of the foundation, potentially resulting in collapsing of the whole house which is a huge disaster for everyone. Even if the foundation doesn’t fail, another negative effect of clogged gutters is that it causes mold growth overtime, and it would be a health hazards.

2.   Wood Damage

The fascia board that support the gutter system are usually made of wood. If gutters clog and fill with water, it can cause the boards to deteriorate and rot. Lot of homes in Australia use wood siding, clogged gutters can result in water overflow, and water will go down along the sides of the home.

 

3.   Landscapes Damage

If you have flowers, small trees and shrubs around the house, they would get damaged by the water spilled over the side of the gutters when the gutters clog. They will either get hit by the gravity of water or die from plant wilting.

4.   Ice Dams

During winter, ice dams can form in gutters or the lower edge of the roof. That can cause water to pool and seep into the house affecting the wall and interior of the house. When gutters are clogged, the water fails to go down to the drains and starts to accumulate, which increases the chance for ice dams.

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