It has been said that if you start to feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated; similarly, by the time you notice that your gutters need to be cleaned, the damage has already begun to set in. Gutters are often called the silent killer because by the time a homeowner realizes there is a problem, it’s too late. Let’s look at the four ways clogged gutters can damage your home.
Landscaping
If you take pride in your house, chances are you care about your lawn and flower beds. The most common enemy of a beautiful landscape is flooding. Gutter cleaning services can keep your property safe from standard rain storm flooding by enabling proper drainage. Functioning gutters allow you to direct the drainage stream wherever you need to so that water does not ruin your lawns, drown your flowers, wash away your hedges, or erode an expensive lawn statue.
Critters
One of the more popular nesting places for animals and bugs is in your gutters. Gutters, of course, catch water and if they clog it will become a trough for animals. Rodents can chew into drywall, gnaw on important wires, and fill your home with droppings. From carpenter ants to termites and potato bugs, there are a wide variety of material-eating insects that you want nowhere near your home. Wasps’ nests, mosquitoes and spiders can threaten your family’s safety and provide a serious scare too. Consistently clean gutters will prevent any unwanted pests from making your life miserable. Unobstructed, free-flowing gutters will wash away any pests that are trying to settle in.
Wood
A typical problem with gutters is that when they clog the water can run down the sides of your house. The purpose of gutters is to prevent this from happening because the water can seep into wood frames on doors and windows. The other issue is flooding. Flooding will wreak havoc on all of your exposed wood surfaces. Decks are prime selling-points in the realty market, but some people worry about the upkeep that these ultimate recreational spots demand. Wooden decks, doors, and fascia alike add a beautiful aesthetic to the home.
Foundation
The most important part of your home is the foundation. If you have had the misfortune of living through a cracked foundation, you definitely don’t want to go through that nightmare again. Cracked foundations are most common during the colder months when standing water around your house causes a frost-heave. Cracked foundations threaten the structural integrity of your entire home. If you noticed clogged gutters freezing up over the winter months, now is the time to handle it. Having clean gutters is an extremely reasonable investment that can save you tens of thousands in repairs.
It’s amazing how something so simple can be so destructive. Our homes are designed to withstand a lot, but there is a balance that needs to be maintained. Gutters are certainly part of that maintenance. Don’t let this silent killer destroy your home. Contact your local Window Genie for a free estimate.
