What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t clean your gutters? Well, clogged gutters can cause quite a few problems.
Overflowing Rainwater
Leaves and other kinds of debris that accumulate in your gutters may prevent rainwater from flowing to the downspouts, causing water to spill onto your siding or seep into your home’s foundation. If rainwater can’t exit through the downspouts, the water may back up into your roof and damage roof components made of wood, like your fascia board.
Remember: gutters are your exterior’s first line of defense against the elements. Without it, your exterior becomes more vulnerable to moisture damage.
Pest Infestations
Decaying organic debris in your gutter may attract all kinds of pests. Insects such as roaches, termites and earwigs might then burrow into moisture-damaged parts of your exterior to build their nests, resulting in a pest infestation.
Leaking and Sagging Gutters
Under the combined weight of accumulated debris, pests and rainwater—which weighs around 8 pounds per gallon—sections of your gutter system will start to pull apart at the seams, causing leaks that will need gutter repair. In some cases, the added weight will cause sections of your gutters to sag.
Gutter Maintenance and Protection
Left unattended the aforementioned problems can affect other parts of your home, which is why it’s important to have a contractor fix gutters leaks or realign tilting gutters as soon as possible. It’s the same reason why routine gutter maintenance is a must.
However, what if you just don’t have the time for chores like gutter-cleaning? Gutter guards or screens can reduce your gutter system’s maintenance needs. Gutter covers prevent leaves and other debris from entering and clogging your gutters, reducing the frequency of gutter maintenance.
Several other gutter accessories can also make gutter maintenance easier. To learn more about your options, consult a reputable contractor.
Patriot Gutters, an A-rated contractor with the Better Business Bureau®, offers professional gutter installation services. To get an estimate, call us at (405) 701-0909 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Oklahoma City, OK, as well as the surrounding communities.