Causes of Clogged Gutters: Prevention Tips

Clogged gutters can cause problems for homeowners. Overflowing water can cause water damage to the walls and foundations of the house, as well as encourage insect breeding and infestations. This is why anti-clogging measures should be taken. Here are a few control efforts to consider:

Four Issues Caused By Problematic Gutters

Gutters are often out of sight, out of mind—you don’t worry about them until their overflow has caused noticeable damage to your home. When gutters fail, you could end up with major headache-causing issues such as a flooded basement, rotted soffits, foundation damage, and even soil erosion.

Flooded basement

Excess rainwater finding its way into the basement is enough to cause a homeowner to panic. After all, that’s where most people store much of their valuables. If there’s flooding, water will find its way to cracks in the foundation or wall.

Covering up the Old House’s Gutters

Many houses in the country are throwbacks to an older era. You may even know some friends whose homes date back decades but have been well-maintained the whole time. In some parts of the country, there are some houses that were actually built before the United States came into existence! While these homes may have period charm, a perennial problem of dated houses is during inclement weather is manifested on its roof. The surrounding yard may even exacerbate it, especially if there are trees. That’s when you need rain guard gutters to protect the value of the home.

Things that Might Clog your Gutters

Your gutters may seem incidental, but they’re vital in keeping your home’s structural integrity intact. In particular, they prevent water from damaging your home’s underlying framework, like the wooden beams that hold the roof up and the foundation that keeps the entire building stable. In the event that they might not be doing well, here are a few culprits you might find lurking within them, causing major clogs in your gutters and downspouts:

Keeping Your Gutters Clean Is Well Worth It

Gutters are long channels attached to your roof to help redirect water and help protect your house from water damage. Rainwater will always flow toward where it is lowest, and without an efficient gutter system, or with a defective one, the water that pools could eventually result in basement flooding and walls cracking; both of which require expensive repairs.