Gutters are the small channels that you see on the roof of almost every home. They’re there to catch any excess water after it rains. Well, unless you live in a climate where it rains all year round, like Hawaii. In that case, you’ll need to check your gutters more often!
Because gutters catch water, they can easily become clogged with leaves or other debris. If they’re not cleaned out regularly, this excess moisture can cause some major problems with your home.
Not only could they lead to rot and mold inside your house and cause a musty smell from algae growth, but they could also lead to serious structural damage. That’s why it’s important for all homeowners to check their gutters on a regular basis so that they remain clear of leaves and other debris at all times.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Gutters Clean?
We’ve already talked about the potential problems caused by a clogged gutter, but why is it so important to keep your gutters clean?
Well, as we’ve seen, a clogged gutter can lead to some pretty serious damage to your home, including rotting wood and mold. If you have a clogged gutter that is not being cleaned regularly, it can also increase your risk of water damage to your home.
That’s because a clogged gutter will cause water to overflow from the gutter and run down the side of your house. Any water that runs down the side of your house can cause some serious issues, including rotting wood and mold.
It can also be a safety hazard if the water freezes in the winter months and leaves behind ice that could potentially cause your siding to collapse.
What Are the Problems That Can Be Caused by a Clogged Gutter?
If you don’t keep your gutters clean and clear, you could be facing some pretty serious problems. Let’s start with the wood in your gutter. If the gutter is not cleaned out and the dirt and debris in it aren’t allowed to drain properly, the water coming from the roof will back up into the gutter.
Gutters are designed to be able to handle some amount of debris, but if they’re clogged, the water will back up and start to overflow into your home. It can cause some serious damage to the roof of your house, as well as the exterior walls.
It can also create a serious risk of mold and rot inside the walls of your house. It’s important to note that not only can this cause damage to your house, but it can also be very costly to repair. The repairs needed will depend on the extent of the damage.
Structural Damage
As we’ve talked about, clogged gutters can cause water to back up and overflow into your home. If this happens, it can cause serious structural damage to the foundation of your home.
If the water is not able to drain out of your gutters, it can also create a pool of water around your foundation. This can allow pests, like rodents, to come into your home
It can also cause serious damage to the foundation of your house as the water can erode the soil around your home and cause it to sink.
This can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run, so it’s important to keep your gutters clean to avoid this problem.
Interior Rot & Mold
As we’ve talked about, a clogged gutter can cause water to back up into your home and lead to some serious damage. If the water is allowed to sit around the foundation of your home for long periods of time, it can lead to some serious health issues, including the growth of mold.
Mold can start growing in your walls and can cause serious damage to your health. It can create toxic spores that can affect those in your home, including infants, children, the elderly, and those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
If you start to notice a musty smell inside your home or see signs of mold, you’ll want to get your gutters cleared as soon as possible. Mold spores can travel through the air and cause serious health issues.
Musty Smells from Algae Growth
If you have a clogged gutter, you’ll often see an algae or moss-like substance growing in the gutter. This is known as algae and is a common problem to see in the gutters. As the algae grows, it starts to smell.
The smell is often described as being similar to a wet dog or old fish. It’s not a pleasant smell at all and can make your home smell bad. Algae can also be dangerous. It can grow so thick that it blocks the flow of water through the gutter. If the water can’t flow freely, it can also cause damage to your home.
Checklist for Clearing Your Gutter of Debris
Now that we’ve talked about the potential problems that can be caused by a clogged gutter, it’s time to talk about how you can keep your gutters clean and clear. We’ve listed the most common ways to keep your gutters clear, so you can decide which will work best for you and your home.
We’ve also listed when you’ll want to clean your gutters, so you can make sure to do it at the right times of year. It’s important to remember that some parts of the country will see more rain than others. If you live in a rainy part of the country, you’ll need to clean your gutters more often.
Conclusion
Gutters are a great form of protection for your home. They are designed to capture the water from your roof and direct it away from your foundation.
Unfortunately, over time the leaves and other debris will begin to build up inside your gutters. If you don’t clean them out, they will eventually become clogged and won’t be able to do their job.
For the best protection for your home, it’s important to clean your gutters regularly.