10 GREAT REASONS FOR KEEPING YOUR GUTTERS MAINTAINED!
If You Are Buying or Own a Home in Albany, Leesburg or Southwest Georgia – This Is Why You Should Worry About Cleaning Out Your Gutters!
It certainly isn’t at the top of most people’s Fun Weekend Activities List and Yes, it does take a bit of effort, but keeping your home’s gutters clean can prevent serious problems and extend the lifespan of your home. People don’t often stop to think of the issues that can arise from clogged gutters, quite frankly, because they are out of sight – out of mind. But if water is not able to adequately and properly flow away from your house, then damage can very quickly result in several different locations, from your roofing down to your foundation. There are number of reasons to make sure that your gutters get cleaned out well at least annually if not semi-annually.
- Roof Damage
Clogged guttering and downspouts result in restricted water flow that can cause water to flood over the gutters. When this happens, you can end up having issues with water rot or mold and algae buildup on your roofing.
- Damage to Fascia Boards
Water overflow and backup can damage to your home’s fascia boards that provide the very support for your guttering system.
- Damage to Guttering & Brackets
Water flooded guttering adds a significant amount of additional weigh to your guttering system as well as your home. This can cause bent or corroded support brackets and warped or bent guttering.
- Flashing & Drip Edge
Water overflow and backup can cause water to get behind your roof’s drip edge and flashing – causing flooding to the very things that are designed to help keep water out.
- Foundation Flooding
Water overflow and backup can cause water to spill over guttering and fall right next to the home’s foundation. This can cause long term problems with exterior rotting or deterioration. Left unchecked, excessive water that may pool or drain against your foundation is creating an excellent breeding ground for wood destroying inspects as well as mold growth.
- Basement Flooding
Water overflow and backup that can cause foundation flooding can also be a significant problem for a home’s basement area. Even installed drainage systems that move water away from a home are present, the increased volume of water spilling over can easily cause excessive moisture if not flooding.
- Foundation Settling & Cracks
If water overflows and pools along your home’s foundation, it can cause settling cracks in your home’s foundation. In cold enough winter weather, it can also cause expansion and contraction cracking.
- Soil Erosion
Water overflow and backup can cause water to spill over guttering and fall right next to the home’s soil along its foundation. This can cause long term problems with soil erosion or can cause increased pooling of water around your foundation.
- Over-watering Flower Beds & Landscaping
Excessive water can damage the health of your landscape plants and flowers. Over-watering can be as harmful – if not more so – than under watering.
- Insect Nesting
Clogged up gutters can attract a wide variety of insects that are attracted to a wet or damp dark environment. You could easily wind up with a significant infestation.
At Sentry Home Inspection Services – We’ve Got Your Back!
