Gutters are meant to help water travel from the roof of a home and down the gutters to the ground or another designated area. If gutters become clogged, water that would have otherwise gone away can back up and cause major problems for your home. Your gutters should be clean and clear at all times. If they are clogged with debris or backed up with water, it will lead to serious damage to your roof and foundation. You can hire a gutter cleaning service like Gutter Cleaning Chicago to help you take care of and secure your gutters.
In addition, a clogged gutter can create a breeding ground for pests such as termites and carpenter ants that could eventually spread into your home. These insects need the muck and decaying materials that clogged gutters provide in order to survive. These creatures will also use your gutters as a nest, and can potentially cause damage to your fascia boards if they eat through the material.
A clogged gutter can also allow the rain that falls on your roof to seep into your basement and crawlspace, which can be very costly. The dampness can lead to mold and mildew growth, which further damages the building materials in your home. The water that collects in your basement and crawlspace can then erode the soil around the foundation of your home. This can result in cracks that make your foundation vulnerable to rot and other structural issues.
Over time, a clogged gutter can also make it impossible for the water to drain away from your home. This causes the water to pool near your foundation and can create leaks in your siding, windows, and doors. You can spot this type of problem by watching the ground around your home. If you notice pools of water, you may have a clogged gutter and should call a professional to get them fixed as soon as possible.
Ice Dams in the Winter
If a clogged gutter is allowed to freeze, it can lead to an ice dam that builds up and blocks the flow of water to your downspouts. This can cause serious flooding and other water damage inside your home during the winter months. The water from the ice dam can also cause other damage to your home, such as a sagging roof and interior damage to your ceiling. This can be very costly to repair and can make your home unsellable.
Garden & Landscaping Damage
Without gutters to divert water from your landscaping, it can erode the plants and lawn in your yard and rot the mulch beneath them. This can also attract harmful critters like mosquitoes and ticks.
Pests and Other Wildlife
If your gutters are clogged, it’s easy for frogs, lizards, and other animals to build their homes in them. They will then find their way into your home if they are able to gain access through the windows or doors that are prone to be left open or exposed to clogged gutters.
