Clogged gutters might seem like an inconvenience, but if you ignore the issue long enough, it can cause serious problems like mold in the walls, ice dams, and a swampy basement. Gutters aren’t the most glamorous part of your home, but they serve a purpose – to protect your roof, walls, and foundation from water damage. And once they get clogged with leaves, twigs, and standing water, they stop protecting your home and become a threat.
Whether it’s roof rot or a cracked foundation, water damage can be expensive to repair.
Water overflow can cause serious damage
When your gutters are clogged, the water backs up instead of draining away from your home. That overflow can get under your shingles, soak your fascia boards, and rot your roof. If the structural integrity of your roof becomes compromised, you’ll be looking at significant repairs.
Ice dams in winter are a big threat
When you live in a cold climate, clogged gutters can cause ice dams that trap snowmelt on the roof, and that’s just asking for trouble. The standing water can seep into your attic and damage insulation and drywall.
According to insurance data, 1 in 50 insured homeowners have filed a claim for water damage or problems caused by freezing. Removing ice dams can cost between $400 and $4,000, depending on the size of your home, the ice dam, and other factors. The best way to handle ice dams is to prevent them from forming in the first place.
There are several things you can do. The first is to make sure you have efficient gutters. For example, the K-style aluminum gutters channel more water and resist impact damage better than traditional gutters. They also have a sleeker profile compared to rounded gutters and enhance curb appeal. Once you have proper gutters installed, clean them on a regular basis.
Clogged gutters can hurt your foundation
Gutters are specifically crafted to direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, but when they fail to channel water properly, water pools around the base of your home and that can quickly become a major problem.
- Soil erosion can cause settling. When water constantly pours down around your foundation, it erodes the soil that stabilizes your home. This can cause your foundation to shift or settle, which can cause structural problems.
- Hydrostatic pressure can crack your foundation. Excess water increases hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls. With enough time, that pressure can cause your foundation to crack and leak. It can also cause your basement walls to bow.
- Flooding risk increases. Just one inch of water on a 1,000 square foot roof equals 600 gallons of water. If your gutters don’t channel that water away from your home, it can flood your basement and crawl spaces.
Clogged gutters attract pests
Gutters full of debris and standing water will attract mosquitos, termites, and birds. Mosquitos love standing water, and since they can carry diseases, you don’t want them to gather in your gutters. And all those decomposing leaves might seem harmless, but rodents and birds will see them as nesting material and will make their home in your clogged gutters.
When it comes to pests, two of the biggest threats to your home are carpenter ants and termites. These guys are attracted to moisture, including damp wood. When your siding and fascia boards are constantly wet, you’re asking for an infestation.
Overflowing gutters can damage your landscaping
If you’ve put any work into your yard, you might find some of it destroyed when your gutters get clogged. The water runoff can ruin flower beds, wash out mulch, and erode topsoil. The water comes down pretty hard and hits the ground with pressure, displacing mulch and harming delicate plants. Constantly wet soil can also breed fungal diseases that spread to other plants, shrubs, and flowers.
Repair costs will only increase
The more you neglect your gutters, the more you can expect to pay to fix the damage. For example, you might need to spend $30,000 on a full roof replacement or $10,000 on mold remediation. Even if you only fix the areas directly impacted by water damage, you’ll be looking at thousands of dollars out of pocket. Your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover damage caused by neglected maintenance.
Cleaning your gutters is the best insurance against water damage
It’s easy to forget about your gutters until they’re full of sludge and overflowing, but by then, it might be too late. Avoid expensive repairs by cleaning your gutters regularly. A little prevention will go a long way to protect your home.
