Gutters play an important role in helping to protect our home from damage. These pipes help to prevent rainwater dripping down the side of our home Gutter Maintenance and pooling around the base, instead directing the water through a downspout into a drain.
It’s essential that you inspect your gutters at least once per year to make sure that they are working properly. Over time, gutters can accumulate blockages of leaves and twigs, or get damaged from frost and wind – which can lead to an array of problems. Below are just some of the issues that can occur if you don’t maintain your gutters.
Flooding
Gutters that become clogged or damaged can lead to rainwater spilling over the sides or dripping through cracks. This can lead to puddles forming around your home – and in serious cases may lead to the inside of your home becoming flooded.
Regular gutter cleaning can stop gutters blocking and overflowing, while inspecting gutters for damage can help you to spot leaks early, preventing water from forming puddles beneath.
Foundation damage
When soil around the base of your home gets too soggy, it can cause the foundations of your home to sink unevenly. This can lead to walls cracking, floors sloping and doors jamming or not closing properly.
Gutter maintenance could prevent you from having to invest in costly foundation repairs by spotting problems like blockages or leaks early. Look out for warning signs like puddles or cracks in your home’s walls.
Roof damage
Water in blocked gutters can also back up and cause damage to your roof. If this water freezes it can also lead to ice dams, which can further deteriorate roofing by lifting shingles. Wooden roofing is particularly susceptible to this damage.
By unclogging gutters before they back up, you could prevent his damage from occurring. Installing gutter guards may also help to prevent gutters getting clogged – these are mesh covering that go over the top of your gutters, allowing water in while keeping debris out.
Pest infestations
Clogged gutters can also become home to various pests including mosquitoes, birds, mice and rats. These pests could end up finding their way into your home.
You can prevent this from happening by inspecting your gutters annually and getting rid of blockages of leaves and twigs before they turn Gutter Maintenance into nests for critters. If pests have already made a home in your gutter, consider calling pest control services to remove these pests.
Gutter collapse
If gutters become too heavy or damaged, they can come loose and cause damage to anything underneath. Frozen gutters can be particularly dangerous if they fall, because they can be as heavy as falling trees, potentially damaging a car roof or person.
Getting damaged gutters repaired in good time can prevent them from collapsing. If you live in an area that gets a lot of storms, it might also be worth investing in cast iron or aluminium guttering with extra-strong brackets and fixings – such gutters can withstand high winds more effectively than regular gutters.
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