Your home’s gutter plays a key role in protecting your house from any form of water damage. If it isn’t well-kept, though, it can pose a lot of issues. 

Find out more about what happens if you neglect upkeeping your roof’s gutters, what you should do to properly maintain your house’s gutter drainage, and many more in this post. Continue reading below.

What Happens If You Neglect Taking Care Of Your Home’s Gutter Drainage

If your gutters are clogged or damaged, they can’t effectively direct rainwater, hail, and runoff away from your roof and property. This can lead to different serious problems, including:

• Foundation damage: When water pools around your foundation, it can seep into the soil and erode the concrete. This can lead to cracks and other structural damage, which can be costly to repair.
• Mold growth: Mold thrives in moist environments. If water is allowed to accumulate in your gutters or around your foundation, it can create a breeding ground for mold. Mold can cause respiratory problems and other health issues, and it can also damage your home’s interior.
• Water leaks: Clogged or damaged gutters can back up and overflow, causing water to leak into your home. This can damage your walls, floors, and furnishings, and it can lead mold to grow too.
• Landscaping damage: If your gutters are clogged or damaged, water can overflow and pool around your home. This can erode your landscaping and kill your plants because of excess water.
• Increased insurance rates: Home insurance companies often charge higher rates for homes with gutter problems. This is because they know that homes with neglected gutters are more likely to experience water damage.
• Ice dams: Ice dams can form on the edge of your roof when snow melts and refreezes. They can prevent water from draining properly, causing it to back up and leak into your home.
• Basement flooding: If your gutters are clogged or damaged, water can pool around your foundation and seep into your basement. This can cause significant damage to your basement and its contents.
• Mosquito breeding grounds: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. If your gutters are clogged or damaged, water can pool in them, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes that are the cause of diseases like malaria, dengue, and many more.
• Increased risk of fire: If your gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris, they can become a fire hazard in dry weather.

How To Properly Maintain Your Gutters

The best way to prevent problems with your gutters is to maintain them properly. Here are a few tips:

• Clean your gutters regularly: It’s important to clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This will remove any leaves, twigs, and other debris that may have accumulated.
• Inspect your gutters for damage: When you’re cleaning your gutters, be sure to inspect them for any damage. Look for cracks, holes, and loose fasteners. If you find any damage, have it repaired by a professional as soon as possible.
• Trim any overhanging branches: Overhanging branches can drop leaves and other debris into your gutters, clogging them. It’s important to trim any overhanging branches on a regular basis to keep your gutters flowing freely.
• Make sure your gutters are properly sloped: Gutters should slope towards the downspouts so that water can drain freely.
• Make sure your downspouts are properly extended: Downspouts should be extended at least four feet away from your foundation to prevent water from pooling around your home.
• Install gutter guards: Gutter guards can help prevent leaves and other debris from accumulating in your gutters. There are a variety of different types of gutter guards available, so you can choose one that best meets your needs.
• Hire a professional gutter cleaning service: If you don’t have the time or energy to clean your gutters yourself, you can hire a professional gutter cleaning service. Professional gutter cleaners have the experience and equipment to clean your gutters quickly and efficiently.

When To Call A Professional For Help With Your Gutters

If you’re not sure how to clean or inspect your gutters or if you find any damage, it’s best to call a professional gutter company. A qualified gutter contractor can clean, inspect, and repair your gutters, ensuring that they’re in good working order.

When looking for a gutter company to work with, make sure that you carry out a wide search of all the professionals near you. Ask around for recommendations from family, friends, colleagues at work, neighbors, and so on. Then, contact each prospect and inquire about their experience with home gutter repair, cleaning, and maintenance, their warranty package, their service packages and offerings, and many more. 

In the end, pick a gutter company that has a stellar reputation, has vast experience, is within your budget, and the like.

In Conclusion

Proper gutter drainage is essential for protecting your home from water damage. By following the tips above, you can keep your gutters flowing freely and prevent a number of serious problems.