Gutters are not on your house for the aesthetic; their main purpose is to divert rain away from your house in a rainstorm so that it drains properly. In order for this to happen, your gutters need to be cleaned frequently and properly. Ideally, at least twice a year, although it may be necessary to get them cleaned more often if you live in the woods where trees frequently drop debris that finds itself in the gutters. When you don’t get this done, the overflow of water is more than just irritating in a rainstorm; it can lead to serious property damage.

 

Damage to the Foundation:

     Damage to the foundation is one of the biggest risks regarding gutter cleaning. When the water from the gutter overflows, it saturates and erodes the dirt around the base of the house. This can cause the dirt that supports the foundation to shift and the foundation to crack. If this happens, it is very dangerous because houses were not meant to sit on an unstable foundation. Further, it can lead to basement flooding. This also will not be covered by insurance because it is due to neglect.

 

Damage to the Gutters Themselves:

     Each gallon of water that’s in the gutter weighs about 8.34 pounds. When the gutter is clogged and it is filled up with water, this puts an excessive amount of weight pulling down on it. The gutters are only meant to sustain enough weight so that rain can run through them in a rainstorm; they are simply not made to withstand the extra burden. Once they break, it can cost thousands to replace them.

 

Damage to the Fascia & Soffits:

     The overflow of water doesn’t only happen on the front side of the gutter; it extends to the backside as well. This can cause the fascia and soffits to sit in the pooling water, which will cause them to rot. The moisture and wood rotting can also extend to other areas of the house, such as the insulation and drywall. Once this happens, it is very difficult to get rid of.

 

Tiger Stripes:

     Tiger stripes are those pesky vertical black lines that can form on gutters. They are a result of an overflow of dirty water that occurs when the gutters are clogged. These can be removed, but it is fairly expensive because it requires special chemicals and extra labor, and cannot be removed with just a regular power wash. For more information about tiger stripes, see our article here.

 

Ice Dams:

     Clogged gutters that are full or partially full with water will freeze once winter hits. When this happens, it can cause snow to be backed up on the roof and not be able to melt properly. The backed-up snow will seep underneath the shingles and into the home’s interior, leading to expensive repairs.

 

Mosquitoes & Bees:

     Water that pools in a gutter can be a perfect place for mosquitoes to hang out. Bees may also be attracted by damp leaves in the gutter. Both may eventually find their way into your house.

 

Critters:

     Dirty gutters can attract rodents and pests. Rats or mice may find dirty gutters in search of food, and they can then enter through the house or attic. Squirrels that have found their way into the gutter have a tendency to lift up the shingles and chew through the wood.

 

Damage to the Roof:

     Clogged gutters can damage the roof in many different ways, a couple of which have been mentioned in different sections (see “ice dams” and “critters”). One other way that clogged gutters can damage the roof is when the bottom shingle soaks in a pool of water that has collected in the gutter. This will cause the bottom shingle to rot, which can extend damage to the roof deck. A similar thing can happen the the fascia and soffits if they start rotting; it can spread to the roof. 

 

Slipping/Falling:

     The overflow of water from the gutters can cause it to pool on the ground, which can lead to slipping and falling, potentially resulting in serious injury.

 

Stains in the Siding:

     The overflow of water can trickle onto the siding, causing it to stain.

 

Damage to the Driveway:

     Water underneath the driveway can cause the soil to shift when settling, causing it to crack in much the same way that it does with a foundation. Also, the added weight of water can cause cracks, and it can heave when out of alignment. Further, if the water freezes in colder temperatures, small cracks can turn into gaping holes.

Gutters have been around for thousands of years and have stayed for a reason: they are necessary for preserving your home. In order for them to work properly, however, they need to be cleaned and maintained frequently. Getting them cleaned out at least twice per year should help to prevent all of these problems and expensive repairs down the line.