What are gutters for?
Your gutters ensure that rainwater is funneled away from your house. It will protect parts of your home from water damage, like doors, windows, roof, siding, and most especially your foundation. It will also lessen the risk of mold and erosion.
Negative Effects Of Neglecting Your Gutters
Not paying attention to your gutters can lead to major issues and repairs. Here are major damages you can avoid if you start taking care of your gutters:
- Foundation Problem – Water is one of the leading causes of foundation issues. If your gutters are not correctly maintained, rainwater can find its way to your basement through cracks or holes. Your foundation can be weakened once water collects around your house’s base. Your foundation may start to sink, shift or crack and cause severe damage, and expensive repairs must be done by a professional.
- Erosion – If water constantly gets dumped in the wrong area due to clogged gutters or downspouts, this can cause an excess of water that can flood the trees, greenery, or flower beds around your home. This will also cause erosion to the dirt around your home and bring pests or mosquitoes to pools of stagnant water.
- Mold – Mold grows where there is moisture. The water issue caused by your defective gutter can create moisture or dampness in some parts of your home. That’s where mold infestation starts which can then cause health hazards to your household. Mold infestation can result in skin conditions, excessive coughing, eye irritation, and other severe health problems. Same as foundation problems, mold infestation is expensive to remedy and needs a professional to take care of it.
- Roof Replacement – If you have clogged gutters, there’s a high chance that water will accumulate on the roof, creating a puddle that can cause fungi and decay. Your roof won’t last long and might need a replacement sooner than expected. Roof replacement is a very tedious and expensive repair which it is best to avoid.
