5 Ways Clogged Gutters Can Damage Your Home

Clogged or overflowing gutters can easily go unnoticed, but they can lead to much bigger problems with your home’s infrastructure.

Home improvement experts will talk about the importance of replacing your roof, keeping up with the landscaping, the efficiency of your windows, etc. but a common oversight is hanging right above your head…your GUTTERS!  

• Leaky Roof - When gutters or downspouts are clogged, water can build up and remain stagnant inside of the gutters.   As the water sits, it can cause your roof to rot and eventually lead to leaks and other water damage inside of your home.
• Build-up of Mold, Water, or Ice - Stagnant water in gutters can also lead to a host of other issues such as mold accumulation or frozen ice blocks during the winter.  If water freezes in your gutter system, it could cause the gutters to expand and retract, eventually moving them out of place and become unsecured.
• Compromised Foundation - Water flow over the sides of gutters can also affect the integrity of your homes foundation.  When water is not drained through the downspouts and away from your home, it can eventually build up against the foundation, causing cracks and erosion. 
• Ruined Landscape - You have spent countless hours perfecting the landscape around your home but one heavy rain with clogged gutters can wash that away.  When water overflows onto the ground below, landscaping can be upended and ruined.

• Shortened Lifespan of Roof - When water settles against your roof, leaks are not the only threat.  The lifespan of your roof is now in jeopardy.  Any extra stress or damage on the materials of your roof (nails, shingles, fascia boards, etc.) can greatly decrease the time before it will need to be replaced.