When I purchased a home a few years ago, I had no idea what kind of workload I would be faced with. In addition to trying to figure out how to keep the place clean, I was also left with the challenge of tidying up the yard and keeping things trimmed. It was a little overwhelming, but I knew that I could do it with a little hard work and dedication. I started reading a lot of books and blogs about creating gorgeous things for your home and yard, and it was a great creative outlet. This blog is all about exciting, fun ways to make your home and yard even more beautiful.
The main job of gutters is to route roof runoff from rain and ice melt away from the house. This serves two purposes — it ensures water doesn't drip all over you when you're walking up to the door, and it prevents several different types of damage from affecting your home.
1. Eave Rot
Your eaves are made up of two parts, the outward-facing fascia boards and the soffits underneath. In many homes, one or both of these are typically made of wood. Gutters hug the eaves, so any overflowing water first comes in contact with the eaves before flowing toward the ground. The wood will absorb the water over time, which leads to peeling paint and wood rot. Cleaning the gutters prevents overflow and thus prevents eave rot.
2. Siding Mold
Although wood siding will be prone to rot from overflowing gutters, metal and vinyl siding is not safe. When dirty gutters overflow, some of the moisture can seep behind the siding. This means water gets trapped where it shouldn't be, which can lead to mold growth beneath the siding. The damage from the mold can spread to the interior walls of the house in some cases.
3. Fastener Damages
Weight in the gutters from twigs and debris is another source of damage. Gutters and downspouts are affixed to the eaves and corner trim with fasteners. Too much weight in the gutters, which occurs when the debris becomes soaked with water, can cause gutters to pull away from the house. Eventually, the gutter fasteners might rip out of the home, leaving gaping holes and damage.
4. Foundation Issues
One of the main reasons for installing gutters is to route roof runoff safely away from the foundation. When dirty gutters overflow, that water instead collects right up against the house. Pressure from the excess moisture in the soil can lead to foundation cracks or even water leaks into the basement. On slab foundations, the water can flow beneath the slab and result in uneven settling.
5. Roof Leaks
Roof leaks from debris-clogged gutters can happen any time of year. Rainwater flowing down the roof can backflow beneath the shingles when it hits the debris dam inside dirty gutters. In winter, dirty gutters lead to the buildup of ice dams, which result in attic leaks when the dam begins to thaw. Keeping the gutters clean year around saves your roof and home from water damage.
Contact a seasonal gutter cleaning service promptly if it's time to have your gutters cleaned out.
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