Have a quick think about the areas of your home that you need to take care of. What comes to mind? Perhaps your lawn and garden? Maybe peeling paint? Perhaps even the roof? What about the gutters? Chances are you probably didn’t even think about them – which is very common. The gutters are easily one of the most forgotten about areas of the home, and because of this, they are so often neglected. To be fair, they aren’t the most obvious part of the house, they are hard to reach and when they are working properly, you don’t even notice them. However, to make sure they are working well, you do actually need to put a little TLC into them. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional guttering expert, keep reading to find out why gutter maintenance is important.
Table of Contents
1. Debris Can Wreak Havoc in Your Gutters and on Your Roof
Source: wernerroofing.com
The number one job of your home’s gutters is to help direct and manage the runoff of rainwater and elements from the roof and away from the home. They of course work in conjunction with the roof and downpipes, and when one of these parts isn’t working properly it can affect the other’s ability to do their job.
One of the biggest obstacles gutters face in being able to manage the flow of the water is debris. The roof catches a lot of debris and can be in the forms of leaves, twigs, and even rubbish that has become airborne.
When gutters are left for too long and not cleaned or perhaps do not have any leaf guards gutters or anything, it can lead to debris building up and becoming clogged. These blockages can inhibit the gutters’ ability to drain properly or even at all, which can cause overflowing over the edge of the gutters.
This overflowing can add extra weight to other areas of the gutter can cause more pressure on some areas. The water can even build up and pool, which might cause it to eventually crack the formation in roof shingles.
Debris can cause lots of issues if it is left to build up, but the good news is, with regular gutter maintenance and cleaning, your gutters will be able to flow smoothly and freely and be debris-free.
If the weather where you live has been stormy and windy, it might be a good time to consider getting the gutters cleaned!
2. Inefficient Gutters Can Affect Your Home’s Foundation
When gutters aren’t able to flow properly due to a blockage, or perhaps have not been installed gutter properly, it can lead to overflowing and water spillage.
If this happens regularly and is left, it can lead to major issues in your home’s foundation. You see, a good guttering system works to direct the water flow from your roof to go as far away from your home as possible. This is in an effort to avoid damage to your home’s foundation and even the landscaping.
When water pools in certain areas, and does so regularly, that water will eventually find its way into your home and its foundation.
This can lead to major structural issues. It can lead to flooding, damage to the interior and exterior walls, and can cause rotting and mold, which is not only dangerously structurally but also a health risk for those exposed to it.
If your home happens to have a basement, cellar, or any other underground area, it can cause damage to this area and make it weak.
Once again, regular gutter maintenance and cleaning services can ensure that these issues are noticed before they cause major problems.
3. Bad Gutters Can Attract Pests
Source: handymanconnection.com
When gutters aren’t working properly, they are going to stay damp for longer than they. And who loves damp areas? Pests. Many different pests like rodents, mosquitoes, termites, and many other insects love these wet environments, and they will see this damp area as an invitation for them to move in.
When these pests start calling your gutters, or even your roof home, it can cause a number of issues, including structural ones, where they weasel their way inside and eat through wood and timber, they may even cause electrical issues by chewing on wires in your walls, and they can even cause health issues as they often carry diseases and germs.
The best way to avoid this is by ensuring your gutters have been installed properly, are in good condition, and are maintained regularly to keep them that way.
Let’s Wrap It Up
So, now that you know some of the issues that can be caused by ignoring your gutters, you have probably realized just how important properly installed gutters and regular maintenance is.
While you can do it yourself, it’s always best to get the help of a professional, as it can be dangerous and they know just what they are looking for, being able to spot small issues that you may not even notice. If you’re looking for gutter maintenance services or gutter installations Pymble, then Gutterline is perfect for you.
