Gutter maintenance is often overlooked, but failing to clean your gutters can lead to costly consequences. Gutters play a vital role in ensuring proper drainage to protect your home. If you let gutter maintenance fall by the wayside, you could find yourself dealing with these common but serious issues.
Substantial Roof Damage
Damaged gutters can devastate your roof. Gutters that are bent, sagging, blocked, or otherwise in disrepair will likely produce standing water. When it rains, water will pool on your roof and cause damage.
Your roof’s shingles or tiles ensure that rainwater rolls off smoothly, but they can’t protect against standing water. Instead, the water penetrates the wooden structure of your roof. This can lead to a disaster as rot, mold, and other water damage sets in.
If you neglect to take care of your gutters, you could find yourself dealing with costly roof repairs or even a complete roof replacement.
Damage to Walls, Windows, and Doors
Your gutters and downspouts direct water away from your home. However, if the gutters are overflowing because they are blocked by debris or damaged, water will travel straight down the surface of your home. This allows water to come in contact with walls, windows, and doors.
While your home’s siding offers some protection, excess water from damaged gutters could be problematic. You could find yourself dealing with mold in your walls, which can become a serious health hazard and costly to remove.
That same water can penetrate the seams of your windows and doors, causing their framing to warp and extensive damage. This could lead to an opening that allows drafts and pests into your home.
Damage to Foundation and Landscaping
One of the most vital things your gutters accomplish is they divert water away from your foundation. A concrete foundation can wear away when excess water flows around it.
The pressure from water build-up can also cause cracks. Cracks in your foundation allow water into your home and cause mold issues. Severe cracks can cause flooding.
Improper drainage can also devastate your landscaping. Water that isn’t carefully routed will wash away landscaping. This runoff can lead to unsightly natural ditches or undermine terrain and cause even more significant and costly issues.
Potential Pest Infestations
Cleaning gutters regularly is essential to prevent pest infestations. Leftover leaf matter and pools of water from bent or sagging gutters provide a perfect habitat for all kinds of vermin. Insects, rodents, and even snakes could make their home in your gutters.
These pests can eventually find their way inside your home. They’ll find, or make, a hole in your attic, and you’ll find yourself dealing with expensive pest removal services.
Driveway and Patio Issues
Your driveway, patio, or any other asphalt or concrete areas on your property can be put at risk by damaged or dirty gutters. If you aren’t making use of gutter cleaning services to keep your gutters clear, water can overflow and end up draining through your driveway.
That flow can wash away the edges of paved driveways or even the supporting sand and gravel underneath, causing permanent damage. Unpaved driveways have it even worse, potentially washing out altogether and taking hours of work to put right again.
Gutter Maintenance and Repairs You Can Count on
If you are concerned about the condition of your gutters or just need a routine cleaning, count on the experts at Gone Coastal Roofing & Building. We’ve been handling roofing and gutters in Sarasota and the surrounding areas since 1985. Call us or contact us online to get started!
