Most homes in the United States have rain gutters. Its purpose is to guide rainwater from your roof away from your home’s foundation and the basement, redirecting it to a specific direction away from your home. While these are a convenient feature for your home, for houses without proper drainage, gutters are what keep your home from water damage and basement flooding.
Aside from rainwater, however, your gutters are vulnerable to external debris, such as leaves and dirt, and other objects that can find its way into them. Failing to clean them regularly may not only make your house look like an eyesore, but it can also cost you added expenses to your home.
Roof Damage
If your home doesn’t have leaf gutter protection, your gutter is prone to clogging from leaves, twigs, and other debris. Too much waste can cause problems in getting water from the roof to the drainpipe quickly, which can lead to damage on your roof that could leak indoors. Not only is this inconvenient for those living inside, but it can also cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
Animal and Mold Infestations
Gutters clogged with debris can be a good breeding ground for pests, insects, rodents, and bees. Depending on where you live, you could be at risk for animal-borne diseases like leptospirosis from rats, malaria and dengue from mosquitoes, or even allergies from bees. Leaving your gutters unclean can also make it an area where mold can thrive. It can spread to the rest of your home, making your household susceptible to mold-related diseases.
Water Damage to Your Home
When left clogged or unclean, your gutters won’t be able to work as they usually would. Leaking and overflowing can cause water to seep into your house’s structure, creating water damage inside and outside your home. Depending on the size of your home and the extent of damage done, you can spend nearly thousands of dollars in repairs.
Cracked Foundation
Clogged gutters may lead to some water leaking down and entering your foundation. If you live in an area with a cold climate, rainwater can expand and freeze, cracking your foundation in the process. Not only will it cost to have your gutter and foundation repaired (and most homeowners pay around $4,000 for foundation repairs), but the structure of your home may also be damaged and deteriorate faster in the long run.
Damaged Gutter Brackets
Gutters are built to hold only so much rainwater. When you combine the weight of rain along with the weight of debris, it can be too much for your gutter to keep, causing damage to the brackets holding your gutters in place.
Aside from the fact that dirty gutters look unsightly, they can have a lot of added expenses to your household if you don’t clean them regularly. How often you should clean them depends on how exposed your home is to debris sources like trees. If regularly cleaning them is too time-consuming, have a gutter cover installed to avoid having to clean debris out of them.