As a homeowner, you probably take the maintenance of your home seriously. After all, repairing damage from neglect can be expensive, and you undoubtedly want your property to make a good impression on everyone who passes by. Properly caring for your gutter system, though, maybe a task that has fallen through the cracks more than once. Many Carolina homeowners fail to have their gutters inspected and cleaned as often as they should, which can lead to problems. Here, you will discover four common kinds of damage clogged gutters can cause.
- Wood fascia and wood siding – While more and more North Carolina homeowners are choosing vinyl fascia and siding boards, there are still plenty of homes that have wood instead. When gutters become clogged and no longer function properly, water typically begins to pool and, ultimately, overflow. This can cause any surrounding wooden elements, including fascia and siding, to start rotting.
- The foundation – The foundation, as you might expect, is one of the most critical components of a house. Foundation damage can lead to long-term structural harm. Functional gutter systems are designed to direct water away from a home’s foundation. If, however, they become clogged, the downspouts may start overflowing directly onto the foundation instead. Over time, this will lead to cracks and, in some cases, interior water damage from seepage.
- Flowers and other plants – If you have put time and effort into cultivating a beautifully landscaped lawn, you surely don’t want all of your hard work to be ruined because your plants get drowned due to clogged gutters. If you allow clogs to persist, the odds are good that water will eventually overflow onto your flowerbeds, potentially irreparably damaging the plants that you’ve selected.
- The roof – Because gutters are so close to a home’s roof, roofing materials often take the brunt of the damage when they get clogged. Asphalt shingles can begin to peel and crack from water damage and other materials, such as ceramic and slate tiles, can still have dry rot from underneath of them. To avoid costly roofing repairs or even a total replacement, make sure you keep your gutters in good working order at all times.
While you can clean your gutters yourself, it is often best to have a professional do this task, particularly if it has been a while since you last checked it off your to-do list. An expert will not only how to look for problems that already exist with your gutter system, but also for things that might go wrong in the near future. As someone who has no significant experience dealing with gutters, you are unlikely to be aware of all of these red flags.
There are many Charlotte, NC gutter cleaning and inspection companies, so do your research to find a reputable option that serves your neighborhood. If you discover your home’s gutters need to be replaced entirely, consider all of the options that are currently on the market before making a purchase. There are several modern gutter system materials, each of which has a unique set of pros and cons. Make sure you ask your installation contractor about aluminum, steel, and copper.