Even if you are among the most concerned and proactive homeowners, it is likely that gutter maintenance will not cross your mind. Gutters are one of the most important parts of your home’s exterior, as they move water and other debris away from your roof and the foundation of your home.
As is the case with most the aspects of your home, gutters can get damaged during severe storms or other inclement weather. If you do not look after them, then the damage can be severe.
We’re here today to discuss why it’s important to get your gutter system checked out at least once (or more often if needed), and why it is important to repair or replace them when they are damaged.
Purpose Of Gutter Systems
Gutters are metal or plastic channels that drain rainwater from your roof into your downspout. Gutters connect to downspouts and are designed to direct water away from your home so that your home is protected from water damage.
They’re a crucial part of your home’s overall drainage system, as they help prevent water from getting into your walls, foundations, and crawl spaces.
Without gutters, this water would collect around the foundation of your house and could cause severe structural damage over time. Gutters also prevent runoff water from damaging your yard.
They are available in a variety of sizes and styles.
Since they serve such an essential purpose, it is important that they are well maintained.
There are a number of reasons why you should care about your gutters.
Why You Should Not Neglect Gutter Repair?
Any gutter system will need to be repaired or replaced at some point. Your gutters are constantly exposed to the elements, and this can cause them to be damaged or wear down over time. Regular cleaning can help extend the life of your gutters, but they will not last forever. Below are a few reasons to repair or replace your getters as soon as you notice any damage:
It Can Cause The Roof To Leak
You might think that what do gutters have to do with the roofing system of your home, but the performance of gutters is very important to keep your roof safe and sound.
The first and most obvious reason to fix or replace your gutters is that they can lead to roof leaks. If the water from your gutters gets clogged and doesn’t drain properly, it will sit in front of your roof’s soffit (the area under the fascia board) for long periods of time. This can cause mold and mildew to form on your siding along with rotting wood fascia boards. These issues can cause serious damage inside of your home if left untreated. In some cases, if a leak is large enough, it may even lead to the collapse of ceilings or flooding in your basement!
Foundational Damage
If you do not repair your gutters at the right time then your home’s foundation can suffer. Your home’s foundation is one of the most important parts of your home. Homeowners should know that gutters play an important role in keeping your foundation protected from water damage. Gutters play an important role in keeping your home safe, and they need to be in good shape for you to have a safe and comfortable home.
When there is a downpour and your gutters are clogged, the gutter system may not be able to divert the water away from the foundation effectively. Water will instead pool on the ground. This can ruin the soil and form puddles of mud. Excess water will lead to soil erosion, causing cracks and compromising your foundation.
Your Driveway Can Get Damaged
It may not seem like it, but a damaged or old gutter system can cause serious damage to other parts of your property. To keep your home protected, you need to make sure that your gutters are in good shape. You don’t want water collecting in your gutters and then falling onto your driveway and creating a big mess. Plus, if water gets into the joints of your driveway and freezes, it can cause a lot of damage. And if there is no way for the water to get away from where it is accumulating, then you can end up with some serious erosion problems.
Pest Can Reach Your Home
Clogged gutters can lead to pest or a termite infestation, which can cause structural damage to your house as well as other parts of it like the roof, foundation and siding. Termites are attracted to wood, so if you have clogged gutters and there is moisture in the air, it can become a very attractive place for pests to live. Once this happens, then the damage can be severe to your home. A situation like this can pose a health hazard not only for you, but also your family and your pets! Make sure you hire a contractor for gutter repair as soon as you notice them not working properly.
Clogged Gutters Can Cause Mold And Mildew To Form In Your Home
Mold and mildew are dangerous to your health. These not only affect the appearance of your home, but they can have health implications as well. They can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, long-term health problems, asthma attacks, and more.
Mold growth thrives in moisture. This allows mold to grow on the surface of the gutter’s material or even on the brickwork around it (depending on what type of material you have used for your gutter). Organisms such as algae and mildew can form and reach the roof as well.
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Need Help With Gutter Services?
We hope that from the above blog it is clear that if you’re thinking about skipping your gutter repair or replacement, you may want to think again. The truth is, even if you’re not seeing any problems right now, it’s important to keep up on routine maintenance because there are plenty of unseen issues that could be affecting your gutters.
If your gutters are damaged, and you want to make sure that these get the best service possible, contact the team at Miller Roofing and Renovation.
We provide the best roofing and exterior-related services in Memphis. We have expertise in installing and repairing seamless gutters to keep your property protected. Contact us at (901) 457-9405.
