Gutters are a very important piece of the structure of any home. This is because they control the flow of the rain away from your home, thus protecting it from damage. However, it’s very important to understand that gutters are only useful if you keep them clean regularly.
The truth is most people do not regularly clean their gutters unless there is a serious problem with their roof. However, it might interest you to know that the longer you procrastinate cleaning your gutters, the more danger you’re putting your home in.
So, why is it so important to keep your gutters clean? Read on to find out.
It protects your roof
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of cleaning your gutters is that it helps protect your roof. This is because gutters basically collect the rainwater that rolls down your roof and then directs it away from it and to your sprouts, thus releasing it to the ground.
However, if you do not clean your gutters, they’ll likely be clogged with debris and leaves. This means that the water won’t be able to flow freely off your roof, so it will get trapped in the gutters and will form a pool on your roof.
This is particularly harmful since, with time, it will eventually damage your roof. This is because the water pools will weaken the roof by cracking and warping the shingles, leading to a leaking ceiling and walls in your home.
With damaged shingles, it means that the water will be flowing underneath the roof. While this might start as just small leaks, they will eventually develop into bigger problems that will require thousands of dollars to fix.
Even worse is that you won’t just be repairing the roof alone; you’ll end up needing repairs for your ceiling and flooring as well. Before this problem develops any further, you might need to get roof repair services in your home.
If you need assistance with roofing in Richmond, VA, or wherever you live trying looking for local companies that specialize in roof repair on google.
It prevents damage to your foundation
One of the biggest functions of gutters is to keep rainwater off your foundation. However, if the gutters are clogged, it means that they can’t dispose of the rainwater properly. The water will settle on the gutters and will eventually spill over the sides of your home.
The water will then be absorbed and lead to cracks on your walls and foundation. These cracks are very harmful to your home because, over time, they’ll weaken the foundation completely to the extent that your home won’t be safe anymore.
These cracks usually happen during the winter, and not only do they affect the foundation, but they can also result in a flooded basement.
It’s very important to note that fixing your home’s foundation can be very costly and will eventually prevent you from fetching a good price for your home in the real estate market once you decide to sell.
To prevent pest and insect infestation
Having debris in a clogged gutter can create the ideal breeding space for pests and insects. Over time, the leaves in your clogged gutters could even attract rodents and birds searching for a nesting place.
This is because the gutters provide a warm environment that facilitates breeding for all kinds of living things. Within no time, you’ll start noticing insects like mosquitoes, roaches, carpenter ants, and even rats and mice crawling inside your home.
Even the pests and bugs won’t be satisfied with living in the gutters, and they will begin making their way inside your home through the cracks and holes. All these can be avoided by performing such a simple chore as cleaning your gutters and clearing out any unwanted junk with the help of a reliable rubbish removal company. After all, you don’t want to live in the same house as mice and roaches.
Conclusion
To avoid costly repairs and for your own safety and hygiene, it’s very important that you clean your gutters every chance you get. As shown above, neglecting or even procrastinating cleaning your gutter could have very serious consequences you’re not ready to deal with yet. Experts recommend that you get your gutters cleaned at least twice a year.
