Problems result from clogged Eavestroughs

It can be difficult to clean eavestroughs. There are a lot of things you can find that will cause you to be miserable, such as slippery leaves, crabapples, bugs and other flies. It can lead homeowners to stop cleaning their eavestroughs.

This is the issue - you should clean your eavestroughs. They're not just there to show off - they play important functions in securing your home from water destruction. If they're blocked they could make water damage worse.

We'll talk about four important issues that can be caused by eavestroughs that become blocked. We'll then give you tips and tricks on how to clear them.

Roof damage

Your roof is sloped so that water from your roof will flow to your eavestroughs. Your eavestroughs will then divert water away from the foundations of your home.

If your eavestroughs have become blocked, however, water can get trapped within them, and then reach your roof. In the worst-case scenario, water will actually start to drain onto your roof. In time, this can cause the wood on your roof to start to decay. Things can get particularly bad when there is a lot of rain.

This can lead to water leaks and can cause you to require your entire quick roof repair.

In addition, gutters that are blocked can cause snow dams. The melting snow on your roof must go through your foundation before it reaches your gutters. If that's not feasible but the water could get frozen on your roof, or within your gutters.

Your gutters may become hard and brittle when they are weighted down by frozen. That can lead to serious damage to your roofing.

Foundation damage

As we mentioned in the previous section, eavestroughs are there to divert rain away from the foundation.

It's impossible to do this when they're blocked.

Liquids take up every inch of space that they can. If your eavestroughs function properly, they take the path of most resistance, and then go down the eavestrough, past the downspout before moving away from your foundation.

However, when your eavestroughs get blocked, the path of least resistance usually is up and over, which leads to water splashing off the eavestroughs to your home's foundation. The water could then collect at times, particularly in heavy rain.

The consequences can be serious. Water can cause cracks and instability in your foundation. Basement flooding is a different possibility. It occurs when water from the pool gets into cracks and then flows into your home.

This means that the maintenance of gutters including downspouts is vital for maintaining the integrity of your home's structural structures.

They can cause wood to rot

Rotting wood is a significant problem - and unfortunately, the areas directly around your eavestroughs tend to be constructed of wood.

The wood used for the fascia is made of the fascia that supports the gutter. The fascia may rot as water build-up occurs. This is a major issue on its own, but it can also cause severe problems.

Rot compromises the structure of the fascia. It weakens the fascia. It's also holding your gutters, they may begin to break off - which can cause more serious damage.

The troubles with gutters getting blocked and rotting wood don't end there. The sidings on homes are usually made from wood. It is recommended to protect and waterproof wood sidings. But, continuous rainwater infiltration through clogged gutters can ruin your work.

A rotting siding could cause water leaks in your home - and those don't look good at all.

Animal and insect damage

Animals require water, food, and shelter in order to live.

For many unwanted pests, unclean gutters, make sure to check all of those boxes.

Pests love gutters that are blocked. Termites live in leaves and twigs which accumulate in your gutters - then get rid of the wood in your house. Mosquitoes, among the most troublesome insect in SD, need water that is stagnant for breeding.

The issues do not stop there. The materials that line your gutter could be used by birds to build nests. This adds weight to your gutter, which can cause it to clog it further. It can also cause birds to make their way into your attic.

How often should they be cleaned?

At an absolute minimum, the gutters must be cleaned at least once a year. You should follow this rule and clear your gutters out in the autumn. Leaves and fruit that fall are likely to accumulate quickly.

Many homeowners prefer to clean their gutters twice every year. The first time is in the autumn months to clear any leaves or fruit that have been accumulating over the summer and fall seasons. The second time is in spring to clear all rotting and debris that may have grown over winter.

There isn't a single answer for how often gutters need to be cleaned. It really depends on many factors, including how your gutters were designed and how many trees are close to your house.

If you see that your gutters are blocked and water is spilling over, you should clean the gutters immediately.

Conclusion

Your home could be damaged in the event that your gutters become blocked. The gutters you have installed could be utilized by pests to build their home. You could see damage to the foundation, roof, and sidings - basically, the exterior of your house.

But cleaning gutters is not a pleasant job. It's even risky for those who aren't used to working on ladders. Further still, it's an activity that must be done correctly - if you miss cleaning out some key areas, leaves, rot, and debris could start to accumulate quickly again, as they can't be washed out.

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Teamwork Exteriors
2040 W. Main Street Suite 311, Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 646-4206