The weather changes and the falling leaves pile up. They remain in the gutters as the days turn colder and winter sets in. The gutters freeze over and then, with spring thaw, melt. If you’ve ignored your gutters over the last, eventually, they’ll pull away from the house. And that’s when the damage will be discovered. The siding, the foundation and even the landscaping can be ruined if you don’t take proper care of your gutters.
Too many people don’t take care of their gutters, believing it to be an unimportant and uninteresting task. However, cleaning your gutters should be penciled in on your maintenance calendar at least once a month.
Protect your home and its value
Gutters allow rainwater to keep from collecting on the roof, along the side of the house and at the home’s foundation. They’re designed to direct the water away, but when they’re clogged by leaves and other debris, the water can’t run through them. This leads to three problems that are costly and can be dangerous for the home’s occupants.
Problem #1: Rot
When the water isn’t able to run cleanly through gutters, it drips down the side. Whether it’s because the gutters have pulled away from the house or because they’re too full of debris to hold more water, the water still has to go somewhere. So it drips down the side of the house. This causes the siding to rot, become stained and create ice dams in the winter. The roof also rots. This can lead to needing expensive repairs and new tiles for the roof.
Problem #2: Foundation issues
As the gutters direct water away from the home’s foundation, they send it to part of the yard or area around your house that can absorb it. However, when the gutters are broken or overflowing, the water drips down, eventually creating cracks and making it’s way into the basement. This can lead to mold and rot indoors, and it can chip away at the foundation. This can make your whole home unsteady and is very expensive to repair.
Problem #3: Pests
Mosquitoes, and other pests, love nothing more than standing water. Debris-filled gutters can still hold enough water to attract flies and mosquitoes. At worst this can end up exposing your family to illnesses like West Nile, and at best it makes time spent outside unpleasant because of the risk of bug bites.
To avoid pests, rot and foundation issues caused by poorly kept gutters, clean them out at least once a month. Don’t just make sure the debris is out, but check for mold and make sure they run clean. If it’s difficult, hire a professional. A small investment can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
American Home Shield offers coverage for all types of maintenance, indoors and out. Visit us online to find out how you can save time and money with a home warranty.
Post Author: andyc.
