What Are the Consequences of Clogged Gutters?

Clogged Gutters

Cleaning out your gutters may not sound like a fun weekend activity, but it is necessary. Clogged gutters can be a nuisance if not addressed promptly. Your eavestrough system collects rainwater and directs it away from your home. Even a small amount of water left in the gutters can cause problems.

So, what kind of problems can you expect if you don’t clean your gutters on a regular basis?

Foundational Problems

You wouldn’t believe it, but every time it rains, hundreds of gallons of water are spilled onto your roof. And the more water your roof will encounter, the bigger it will be. All of the rain or snow from a correctly built eavestrough system will flow along the gutters, through the downspout, and away from your property.

The opposite will occur, though, if your gutters are clogged: all the water that would normally be carried away from your property would run over the sides and down along your outside walls. This may eventually allow water to collect around the foundation, eroding and weakening the walls and possibly resulting in cracks in the foundation.

Damage to The Walls And Ceiling

Water leaks in your home can be caused by clogged Eavestrough Ottawa. This is because water can become trapped in your roof’s wooden fascia, causing rotting of the boards to which the gutters are attached. 

As a result, water and moisture can enter your home. During the winter, the water freezes, and ice dams form, leaving melted snow beneath the roof shingles.

If ice dams form in your gutters, they must be removed immediately. Better yet, if your gutters are clear, they should not form in the first place.

Smashed Gutters

There is a limited place for water in clogged gutters. Because there is nowhere for the water to go in this situation, the gutters will overflow. The weight of all the excess water in your gutters might put undue pressure on them and cause them to bend away from the Ottawa Roofing. Ottawa has a tendency to fracture and break with time, which can ruin the entire system.

Soggy Basement

A damp, wet basement can result if water is allowed to pour down the foundation due to a faulty gutter system. This is especially true if you don’t have a waterproofed basement. Problems can arise when water seeps through the basement floor and walls. This can cause significant water damage and mold in your basement, which is both unsightly and dangerous to your health.

Infestation Of Pests

Insects prefer wet environments, so if your gutters are frequently overflowing with water, pests like mosquitos will swarm to your home and stay longer than you’d want. Additionally, the leaves, twigs, and mud in your gutters are typically very moist, which is another attraction for pests like wasps and bees, who may utilize this damp material to create nests.

It’s crucial to follow safety precautions if you intend to clean your gutters by yourself. For instance, you need to think about ladder safety.

To begin, your ladder should be sturdy and large enough for the job, and you should avoid standing on the top three steps. It’s also a good idea to have a helper on hand to keep the ladder stable in case of an emergency.

You’ll also need the proper tools to complete the task correctly. Thick gloves, long sleeves, plastic scooping tools, and buckets are all required. Otherwise, if you want to clean your gutters from the ground instead of climbing a ladder, you’ll need a pressure washer and wand (with the proper water pressure to avoid damaging the gutters) to clear them out.

Most of the time, this task can be too risky or difficult for the typical homeowner. Instead, give gutter cleaning professionals a call. Call Ottawa when your eavestroughs need cleaning!