Cleaning out the gutters every few months can feel like a hassle, which causes many homeowners to put it off. While some rightfully avoid climbing onto the roof themselves because of the danger, they fail to have a professional out to get the job done. One way or another, the gutters need regular cleaning and inspection. Without this, the gutters can collapse, fall off the house, and ultimately cause water damage to the home.
One of the ways homeowners come to recognize the clogged condition of their neglected gutters is by discovering water in the basement. When water cannot flow through the gutters and away from the house through the downspouts, it has little choice but to wash over the sides of the gutters. In turn, the water washes down the side of the house and pools at the foundation. Inevitably, the water finds its way through the concrete, steadily eroding the foundation structure. This may start out as a damp or flooded basement, but it can evolve into cracked basement walls, an unsteady foundation and even a collapsed home. Such a tremendous risk just to avoid having the gutters cleaned is not worth it.
Another form of water damage to the home occurs when the wood structures near the gutters begin to rot from the constant water exposure. The fascia boards, generally made of wood, secure the gutters to the home. As the blocked water spills out of the gutters, it first washes over the fascia boards. After enough constant saturation, the boards will rot and fall off the house, taking the gutters with them. Here, a simple gutter cleaning turned into a complete gutter system replacement. For homes with wood siding, the risk of wood rot from clogged gutters increases. The constant wash of water down the side of the house from overflowing gutters can turn into rotten siding that needs to be replaced.
Homeowners who fail to have the gutters cleaned can also run into the problem of destroyed landscape. When the water has no option but to spill out of the gutters and pool at the base of the house, any flowers, shrubs or small trees planted there must try to survive the onslaught of water. Generally, this oversaturation kills the plants, which can amount to a lot of money lost in ruined landscaping.
Ice dams can also cause problems, especially in the winter months. Any water in the gutters freezes, leading to ice dams that cause water to sit pooled on the roof. Water on the roof can leak beneath the shingles and damage the interior of the home. This type of water damage can create enormous repair expenses, including replacement of shingles, insulation, dry wall, flooring and damaged personal belongings.
While putting off having the gutters cleaned feels easier in the moment, imagine what may happen to your home in just a few months of neglect. Make it easy on you, your wallet and your home by contacting the Gutterman of TN to schedule a gutter cleaning today.