You probably don’t think about the gutters around your roof, but they are extremely important. The gutters help protect your home against water damage. Clogged gutters can cause water leaks, mold growth, paint damage, and foundation weakening.
How can you determine whether your gutters are clogged? Read on to find out!
Signs That You Have Clogged Gutters
You should request a gutter cleanup service if you notice any of the signs of bad gutters below:
Water Leaks From the Edges of Your Gutters
When the gutters are clean, water will run through your system smoothly into the downspouts. With clogs in the way, water run-off from your roof will escape through the path of least resistance, typically over the edges of your gutters.
Plants Growing in Your Gutters
Dirty gutters contain enough organic material to encourage the growth of grasses and plants. Seeds and spores may fall into your gutters from nearby trees, but birds and pests may also dispose of seeds there. Either way, vegetation growing in your gutters is the biggest sign of gutter blockage.
Stains Inside and Outside Your Home
Dirty water running off your roof and over the gutters into your home will leave stains when the surfaces dry, ruining the property’s curb appeal. Water stains across your gutter’s exterior, siding, or walls are one of the surest signs of a blocked gutter system.
Gutters Sagging and Showing Visible Signs of Damage
Gutters will sag under the weight of accumulated debris over time. You may start to see cracks and other visible signs of damage after a while. If you don’t clean the gutters, the weight of the debris will tear off the entire system from the roof.
Water Not Draining From the Downspout
One of the best tips on how to tell if gutters are clogged is to look at the downspouts. If you can’t see water draining out of the downspouts, there’s a clog in the system.
Pests and Birds Around Your Gutters
Pests and birds running around your gutters is a sure sign of blockage. Built-up debris makes it easier for small animals to build a nest and thrive in the gutter or elsewhere on your roof.
What Are the Risks of Clogged Gutters?
Below are some things that could happen if you don’t clean your gutters.
Damaged Roof and Walls
When water sits in your gutters for a long time because of poor drainage, it may start to seep into the roof decking and down to your walls. The leak will worsen over time until other problems like mold growth and roof rot appear.
Foundation Cracks
One of the main reasons for installing gutters is to keep water away from your foundation. With clogs in the system, water will likely pool around it. If you ignore the problem long enough, your foundation will crack. Such structural damage can be costly to repair.
Possible Sickness
The humid environment caused by poorly draining gutters often leads to mold and mildew growth, which can worsen and trigger allergies or other respiratory problems. Sitting water also encourages the growth of disease vectors like mosquitos.
Yard or Landscaping Damage
When water streams onto your landscape without control, your flower beds and garden may get washed away.
Overwatering, erosion, and loss of fertilizer may also follow.
How To Clean Clogged Gutters
You can clean your gutters in two ways:
DIY
Cleaning gutters on your own is as simple as clearing out the debris with a trowel and flushing the gutters with a garden hose. However, there’s the risk of falling from that elevated height.
Hire a Professional
Hiring a professional saves you the time and stress of lugging a ladder and garden hose across your yard. You will also have a set of professional eyes inspecting your gutters after cleaning to ensure they are still in good shape.
FAQS About Clogged Gutters
How Do You Clear a Clogged Gutter?
You can clear a clogged gutter by scooping away all debris inside and flushing it with water.
What Happens When Your Gutters Are Clogged?
Clogged gutters expose your home to water damage inside and outside.
Can Clogged Gutters Cause Roof Damage?
Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks and wood rot if you ignore the problem, leading to even more dangerous (and expensive) problems down the line.
Need Help With Clogged Gutters? Contact Us Now!
Don’t ignore dirty gutters for too long.
Contact Evergreen Window Cleaning today for professional gutter cleaning services.
