For the average homeowner, roof gutter cleaning may not be important to their daily lives. However, roof gutter cleaning is essential to prevent water damage and maintain the structural integrity of the home. Roof gutters serve as one of the most important components of any home because they protect it from leaks and mould growth. If you’re looking to sell your property, damages due to unclean gutters can decrease its value and hold up the potential transaction for months or even years.
Roof restoration Central Coast owner Ben Livingstone explains that a straightforward and effective solution is to have your roof gutter cleaned by dedicated professionals using eco-friendly products that won’t harm your family, pets or plants.
Help your house stay clean and away from damage with a roof gutter clean! Read on to learn more.
Water Damage
If clogged gutter systems allow too much water into the drainage system, it can cause foundation problems as well as seepage into the basement area of your home through cracks in masonry walls and floors. This also increases the risk of mould and mildew, which will damage any surface it comes in contact with including woodwork and siding. A dirty gutter system may also decrease air circulation within your attic making it more difficult for your air conditioning system to cool the house during the summer.
Leaking
If gutter systems are not cleaned out properly, water can seep into seams or other openings along the roofline and begin to leak inside. This is also a problem within itself as it will lead to more damage if not addressed quickly enough. Water that comes into contact with wood beams will cause them to rot over time making them less stable, therefore increasing the risk of injury should someone walk or stand on them.
Erosion
Gutters need to maintain an appropriate slope for water to flow away from your home’s foundation, instead of towards it. If clogged gutters do not allow proper drainage they may pull soil away from the foundation of your home and move it towards other areas, such as towards a neighbour’s property.
Safety
An un-cleaned gutter system may eventually grow to weigh hundreds of pounds which will put anyone walking under them at risk of injury should they become loose and tumble over. An unkempt roof is also an increased liability for any individual who climbs on top of it for repairs or maintenance. Improperly maintained gutters could not only injure you but damage your property as well if they break apart and fall off during cleaning or inspection. A dirty gutter system will lead to more serious problems than just a damaged roof, such as improper drainage, erosion and leakage; all things which can cause mould and mildew to form and damage the interior of your home.
Health
Dirt, algae and other debris that sits inside a dirty gutter system provide a breeding ground for various insects such as mosquitoes, roaches and mice. These creatures will then be free to enter into the ventilation systems within your home or those that provide light and heat to help keep it warm in winter. If you have allergies you should also consider how this could affect your quality of life if these things become an issue for you.
Plumbing
If dirt and debris build-up within the water delivery system it could not only cause seepage but ruin certain components along its route as well such as shingles or siding on exterior walls which would lead to an increased risk of leakage. Over time a dirty gutter system will corrode metal fixtures and weather sealant used in construction which could lead to costly repairs if left mismanaged for too long.
Insurance
All of these potential problems can contribute to the need for costly repairs or replacements which will result in having to pay more out of pocket than you expected. It is better to clean your gutters before disaster strikes and things become unmanageable, rather than waiting until they do! If you haven’t already had your house inspected by a professional know that this factor could raise your chance of being under-insured should there be any issues found during the inspection that may lead to high replacement costs.
Save Money
Most importantly of all, maintaining your gutters will save you money in the long run by avoiding costly replacement jobs that could end up totalling thousands of dollars. When you factor in all the potential expenses that come along with owning property including insurance costs and taxes among others, having someone maintain your gutter system will quickly pay for itself over time. It’s also important to keep in mind that failure to maintain this vital guttering component can lead to even more expensive problems in the future.
