For most homeowners, their gutter systems are not at the forefront of their minds most of the time. This is true, at least, until something goes wrong. Even though you might not realize it, your gutters are an extremely important part of your home’s functionality. Due to this, it is important to have them cleaned on a regular basis to make sure they remain in good working order. Neglecting your gutters can lead to a number of issues on your property. Here, you will learn about four potential problems that can be avoided by merely having your gutters inspected every year.
- Fascia deterioration and gutter breakage – When gutters become clogged, they start to get much heavier than they normally are due to the build-up of water, leaves, and other debris. This weight can cause the gutters to snap, letting loose everything that was held inside of them. Not only can the gutter itself cause damage to the wood fascia on your home, but the onslaught of water is likely to result in fascia deterioration and rot. Depending on how large the broken area of your gutter system is, you may have to replace the entire thing, including the fascia, which can be costly.
- Problems with your roof – Protecting your roof from standing water and debris is one of the major purposes of a gutter system. When gutters become clogged, new rainfall has nowhere to go, which can lead to puddles forming all over your roof. Over time, this stagnant water is likely to damage your roofing material and, in many cases, cause leaks inside of your house. Repairing this type of damage after the fact tends to be much more expensive than merely having your gutters inspected and cleaned regularly.
- Issues with your foundation – The foundation of your home is arguably its most important feature. As with many things in life, without a solid foundation, a house won’t remain sound for very long. Clogged gutters, believe it or not, can lead to a range of foundation problems. This is due to the fact that downspouts are intended to direct water away from a home’s foundation, but when they also become blocked, the water can splash directly onto the foundation instead. This can result in cracks, crumbling, and other major structural problems.
- Damaged landscaping – Often, homeowners spend a great deal of time getting their landscaping exactly how they want it. Clogged gutters, however, can ruin all of this hard work in the blink of an eye. If a blocked portion of gutter overflows with water and lawn debris, it is likely to damage all of the plants beneath it. While certain plant species can survive this sort of unexpected flood, most can’t.
If you are ready to schedule your annual gutter maintenance as soon as possible, the first thing you need to do is contact a reputable local service. Some companies specialize only in gutters, but there are also general contractors who do work on gutter systems. The best way to figure out which professional is right for you is to ask your friends and family members for recommendations. If you don’t have any luck with that tactic, search consumer review sites for information about experts who serve clients in your region of the Carolinas.