What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Gutters?
It’s not surprising that people ask: “What would happen if I skipped the gutter cleaning?”
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is “Nothing Good.” What you should know about gutter cleaning, and why not is a bad idea.
When and Why Do I Need to Clean My Gutters?
If you don’t have a gutter guard or a screening system, your gutters will be open to the elements. Over time, debris and leaves can accumulate in the channels meant to direct water away from your house and to downspouts. Once there is enough debris, the gutters will become clogged. If you think non-functional gutters aren’t a problem, it’s easy to ignore this home maintenance task. However, as we will see, clogged and blocked gutters can cause serious damage to your home.
In general, you should inspect your gutters between one and two times a year. You can do a one-time cleanout and checkup if you live in a city where there aren’t many trees that drop leaves on your roof. If you live in an area with more trees, you may want to clean your gutters twice a year: once at the end of fall and then again at the beginning of spring. After any major weather event, you’ll want to check your gutters to make sure that no tree limbs have accumulated.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean My Gutters?
Are you still not convinced to make gutter cleaning the first item on your annual checklist of home maintenance? These consequences of not doing the job might motivate you.
Roof Damage
When your gutters become clogged with debris, they will begin to fill up with water. Standing water can cause your roof shingles to degrade faster than usual if it comes into contact with them. Water can penetrate the decking and cause it to rot. Even a rotten edge that comes in contact with gutters can cause water to enter your home.
Foundation Damage
When gutters are working properly, rainwater will flow through downspouts and away from your house. If they become clogged, water will flow over the edge and pool around the base. The ground can soften around your home’s foundation, causing it to shift and crack. Water can seep into your foundation walls and cause a damp, unsanitary crawlspace or basement.
Driveway and Landscaping Damage
If you have plants around your house and your gutters pour water on them each time it rains they may eventually die from being waterlogged. If water is not properly drained away from your house, it can seep into driveways and concrete patios. This water can freeze and cause damage, as well as ice slipping hazards.
Ice Dams
Standing water can be a problem, but it becomes even more problematic when temperatures drop and the water freezes. Ice dams can form as the ice melts, and then refreezes. These dams may cause your gutters to pull away from your home or create roof leaks. If you live in a snowy area, clean gutters will not completely prevent ice dams. However, they can help.
Pests
Decomposing leaves that are wet can be a fertile environment for insects and pests. If the pests are outside, it’s one thing. But when they start to invade your home in search of warmth or shelter, that is another. Keep your gutters clear to avoid attracting them.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can grow on all that moist material. They are not only unsightly but they can be very harmful to your health and can cost a lot of money to remove.
You Can’t Keep Your Mind Out of the Gutter!
You should now understand that clearing your gutters of debris is an important part of maintaining your home. There are many companies who will do this job for you if you don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder.
This post was written by a professional at Rain Gutter Medic. Rain Gutter Medic’s commitment to protecting your home starts with ensuring it has the best gutter system in place. Based in West Jordan, UT, they bring over 24 years of specialized experience in rain gutter installation, professional gutter cleaning near you, and gutter repair in UT for residential and commercial properties. https://rainguttermedic.com/ is dedicated to providing top-notch gutter services that safeguard your property and enhance its appearance and value.