Property owners have several responsibilities to ensure that their property is well maintained. One of these responsibilities includes sanitation of the yard and surrounding the property, which includes cleaning out gutters. Cleaning out gutters is a practice that every homeowner should participate in to facilitate good health and hygiene. However, many homeowners have ignored this intricate part of property maintenance, and this has, in turn, led to some problems.
6 Problems that Arise When you don’t Clean Out Your Gutters
A lot of problems could arise from neglecting to clean your gutters, which can result in serious problems in your home. For this read, we have put together some of these problems. Here are some problems that may arise if you don’t clean your gutters.
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Water Damage
If your gutter is clogged, it can cause an overflow of water, which leads to potential water damage to your walls and the foundation of your property. This issue escalates as a result of trying to evacuate clogged water from the gutter and this water pouring on wherever is beneath it. Therefore, this caused damage to doors, windows, and patios, and the cost of having to replace and repair windows or walls is another issue.
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Roof Leaks
When your roof comes in contact with water, you may begin to notice substantial damage which can worsen if not adequately dealt with. If the edge of a roof is exposed to moisture, it absorbs the water and this often causes the wood to decay and become soft. When water backs up in the gutters, it can seep under the roof shingles, causing leaks and damage to the roof structure. This problem can affect the entire roof decking if it is not controlled immediately.
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Structural Issues
The foundation of a house is the most important feature of the entire property. It is where the building rests. When you fail to clean your gutter the foundation would not be spared. When water erodes the dirt that holds the foundation, it causes the foundation to shift. Excess water can pool around the foundation, leading to cracks and structural damage over time. Continual access of water into the foundation extends the damage to the landscape of the house and it becomes a dangerous situation.
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Pest Infestations
Mosquitoes and other rodents thrive the most in areas of clogged or stagnant water. The water clogged in gutters creates a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, rodents, and insects, which can invade your home. When you consider the diseases that mosquitoes and these other rodents spread you would understand the urgency of having clean clear gutters. It gets worse, these rodents are tough to permanently get rid of except with the help of experts.
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High Risk of Accidents
There is an increased rate of accidents in houses that are dealing with unclean gutters and drainage. The dirty water from these gutters finds its way into your pathways and driveways, making you susceptible to accidents. Accidents like these happen in the spur of the moment and lead to physical injuries. Failing to play your part in the safety of your environment by cleaning your gutters can cost your well-being.
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Increased Maintenance
The cost of neglecting gutter cleaning can lead to more serious problems that require costly repairs down the line. It is like prolonging a foreseen disaster and that is why it is best to deal with such problems immediately to save you more expensive and stressful maintenance.
Having highlighted the several issues that may arise when you don’t clean your gutters, it is safer to take action immediately. At Reynolds Gutter we provide you with an easier route to this issue, by contacting our professionals you can say goodbye to clogged drainage and unclean gutter issues. Contact us now.