What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Gutters?
Cleaning your gutters may be the last thing you want to do at the end of a busy week. It takes time and effort to empty them, and you have a busy schedule. Plus, you need to get out the ladder and may need help to get the job done.
However, skipping this vital step could backfire on you. Clogged gutters can cause major problems to your home.
Why Are Gutters Necessary?
Gutters carry water off of your roof to a designated area on your property. When working properly, gutters are very effective at doing their job. They keep water from building up and damaging your home, including the roof and foundation.
How Do Gutters Become Clogged?
When you don’t regularly clean out a gutter, the debris it collects will pile up over time. Imagine leaving an empty bucket outside. As the months go by, everything that falls into the bucket stays there, including pieces of tree branches, leaves and dirt. If you don’t empty the bucket, it just gets more and more packed.
The same thing happens to your gutters. If a gutter gets clogged up by shingle grit, leaves, dirt and more, it can stop or slow the drainage off of your roof, causing more damage than you may know.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Gutters?
Unfortunately, for many people, “out of sight, out of mind” applies to their gutters. If they don’t see the problem directly in front of them, they don’t realize anything is wrong. However, when gutters become clogged, the issue grows silently, until one day the problems of clogged gutters become too big to ignore.
When you ignore your gutters, the debris packed inside can begin to solidify, which makes it harder to get out. The longer you let all of it sit, the more difficult it will be to clean. Safety is a real concern when you don’t clean out your gutters. Other problems can develop, too:
- Clogged gutters can rot fascia boards, making it easier for water to enter your house to cause wall and ceiling damage.
- Clogged gutters have a tendency to become over-weighted with slow-moving water, soiled dirt, leaves and ice (in the winter months). This backup not only stresses the gutters but also puts even more stress on fascia boards and soffits.
- In severe cases, the gutter can break free from the house, potentially falling and hitting someone.
How Often to Clean Your Gutters
The best way to ensure your gutters remain clear is to set up a cleaning schedule. You want to clear them when the weather is good. Setting a time in the fall and spring when temperatures are mild and you see no chance of snow can put you on the right track.
Mark the dates on your calendar and make them non-negotiable. Get all your supplies ready in advance, such as:
- Ladder.
- Bucket for scooping dirt and debris into.
- Sturdy gardening gloves.
Give yourself enough time to do the job thoroughly, which could mean several hours. Make sure you clean out every single piece of gutter around your home. Be careful standing on the ladder.
Bottom line — clean your gutters at least twice per year and save yourself big headaches later down the road.
Seamless Gutter Installation From Scro’s Roofing
If you’re looking for affordable and efficient gutter installation services in North Carolina, contact our team at Scro’s Roofing Company today.
Last updated: 12/01/2021
