What is one task most often avoided by homeowners? Cleaning the gutters! While generally unpleasant, it is a necessary undertaking that should be done at least twice a year. Many people bypass checking this job off their to-do list because it involves continuously getting up and down a ladder, which can be potentially dangerous. But what happens if you skip gutter cleaning this year? You could find yourself dealing with a host of issues. Below, the Rutter Roofing & Exteriors team highlights the five dangers of not cleaning your gutters.
Roof Damage
The impact of not cleaning your gutters can affect your home from the top to the bottom, starting with your roof. When your gutter system becomes clogged with twigs, leaves, and other debris, water will have nowhere to escape, and it can seep into your home and damage your roof deck. Eventually, this collection of water will soak into your insulation, and you will end up with water damage on your ceiling. Clogged gutters can also become so heavy, especially during the winter, that they pull away from their attachments, which not only causes extensive gutter repair but also damages your siding and trim. Ensure you have your gutters professionally cleaned annually to avoid extensive roof damage.
Structural Damage
Your gutter system’s main job is to divert water away from your home. When they are clogged, they can’t do their job correctly. When rainwater has nowhere to go, it’s spilling over the edge of your gutters and dripping down into your home’s foundation. Extensive water under your foundation can cause it to shift and crack, and if water gets into these cracks and freezes, it causes a problem known as frost-heave. Frost-heave can cause severe structural damage, costing homeowners anywhere from $2,000 to over $7,000 to repair. If you’ve been Googling “gutter cleaning near me,” contact Rutter Roofing & Exteriors today to avoid this costly repair.
Landscape Erosion
The water from a storm can be great for your plants and foliage, but if your gutters are clogged, it can have a disastrous effect on your landscaping. Water seeping over the edges can pound into the ground and wash away mulch, topsoil, and sand, and the torrent of water can even kill delicate shrubs, flowers, and trees. Save your landscape this season and schedule a gutter cleaning with Rutter Roofing & Exteriors today!
Basement Flooding
During a heavy storm, if rainwater has nowhere to go, it will collect around your foundation and make its way inside your home to the lowest point, your basement. If this happens, it can cause unpleasant smells, mold growth, water damage, and a flooded basement. With Rutter Roofing & Exteriors and our local gutter cleaning services, you can rest assured that your home will stay dry during heavy storms.
Unwanted Pests
Dirty gutters filled with dirt, leaves, twigs and standing water is the perfect place for unwanted pests. Critters like birds, mice, squirrels, mosquitoes, and termites will make your clogged gutters their new home. Once the weather cools down, these pests will make their way into your home. Avoid unwanted animals and call the exterminator when you regularly clean your gutters.
Local Gutter Cleaning Services by Rutter Roofing & Exteriors
If you’re looking to prolong the life of your gutter system and protect your home, it’s time to schedule a cleaning service with Rutter Roofing & Exteriors! We pride ourselves on offering several services that can benefit your home’s exterior. Our team of professionals is here to help if you ever need help with your gutter systems maintenance, cleaning, replacement, or repair. Contact us at 610-584-2084 to schedule a service.
