Water is powerful. It can save lives of billions, yet it can also be a reason for your home to go to rack and ruin unless handled. When water accumulates inside clogged gutters and downspouts, it causes a cascade of damaging effects to the foundation, walls, and even interior. Evidently, you don’t want these to happen to your property.
You owe it to yourself to keep a close watch over how your gutters perform. Should they have any flaws, your house is likely to take a hit. This will result in a great deal of money in your repair bill and a real headache for you and your loved ones.
Fortunately, it’s in your power to keep potential water damage at bay by watching out for the most common signs of clogged gutters. Make sure you can’t detect any of these so that your house is unaffected.
Sign 1: Rainwater trickles out of clogged gutters
Remember, gutters are not meant to serve as fountains. They are used to collect and guide water away from your roof without pushing it over the edges. So, if you keep asking yourself “How do I know if my gutters are clogged?”, the first thing to do is to look up and visually check them for overflows. If they don’t stop dripping, they are blocked – make no mistake.
Sign 2: They tilt away or sag in the middle
The capacity of all gutters, no matter the type, is limited. That is why they may pull away or bend once there’s too much debris that causes blockage inside. No drainage system can carry the weight of twigs and water for a long time, which calls for immediate gutter clog prevention. If left untreated, sagging can undermine the structural integrity of your roof.
Sign 3: Critters often lurk there
While being a pain in the neck for homeowners, dirt and leaves in gutters make an excellent nesting spot for animals and birds. It’s not uncommon to find squirrels, rodents, or even snakes “settling” in drainage systems as they help them feel protected and in proximity to water. Want to get rid of your pesky neighbors? First of all, start cleaning clogged gutters!
Sign 4: Water finds its way into your basement
You’ve got it right: a wet basement is not always related to plumbing issues. If rainwater is not carried away the way it should, it may permeate the ground next to your house foundation walls, leaking inside through tiny concrete cracks. Thus, those puddles in your basement may be a clear sign of what happens if gutters are clogged and overflow.
Sign 5: Rotted fascia boards eat away at your home’s curb appeal
The exterior attractiveness of your property is one of the most crucial factors that determine how much it’s worth. But if deteriorated fascias and siding stains wear away at it, its market value is likely to plummet. These problems are often caused by blocked gutters that hold moisture and take their toll on the overall appearance of your house.
The best way to clean clogged gutters and keep your house beautiful
When it comes to removing the contents of a blocked gutter, you can either get it over with yourself or hire a contractor to save you the trouble. At Home Run Improvement, we have the needed equipment to do the cleaning safely, ensuring that your water runoff system performs smoothly.
We are adept at working at heights and can help you with year-round gutter upkeep, replacement, installation, etc. Your house deserves the best care!
