The gutters and downspouts of your home may seem like small components, but they perform critical functions. They need to be maintained regularly despite being able to function on their own. Gutters and downspouts are able to do their job and perform at peak capacity when they’re in good shape. Maintaining gutters and downspouts is important if you want to avoid damage to your home.
Why should you bother maintaining your gutters and downspouts? Here are 5 reasons…
1. Keep Out Unwanted Guests
You need to clean your gutters and downspouts if you do not want to have unwanted guests in your home. Insects, pests, and other elements are common issues that affect the functionality of your gutters when clogged. Organic debris and materials such as tree branches, twigs, and leaves can clog your gutters. Moreover, pests and insects may make your gutters their home! This clogging can pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home. Insects like termites and carpenter ants, for instance, can start to eat away at the clogged gutters. These creatures are known to be good chewers. They can cause significant damage to wood fascia and other structural components in and around your home, going beyond your gutters, downspouts, etc. Fixing the damage after it has occurred can be both expensive and difficult. You might need to hire an expensive exterminator.
2. Ensure Proper Flow
Having gutters and downspouts that overflow can be a problem. Rainwater not flowing properly out to your drainage system can become an issue. If your drainage system is not well-maintained, water may also overflow through the sides of your gutter guards. If water isn’t flowing properly, it can cause a leaky roof and damage some parts of your home’s landscaping. To avoid any such issues, clean your gutters. Clogged downspouts and sagging gutters are causes of concern that need to be dealt with before problems occur.
You should clean your gutters frequently if your home is located in an area with a lot of critters, trees, and foliage. When your gutters and downspouts are well-maintained, your home, landscaping, and structures should be in good condition.
3. Prevent Water Damage
A drainage system that is not maintained can cause water to leak into your home. Leaks are a result of damages in most cases. You must avoid water damage to your home as much as you can! Additionally, sagging and collapsing gutters can lead to structural damage, foundational damage, roof leaks, and severe damage to the roofing system of your home. It is important that your drainage system properly guides rainwater throughout your home’s exterior. This will prevent the buildup of water on the fascia boards. Water should flow off your roof properly.
Additionally, water damage can lead to a buildup of mold and mildew. These elements can cause health issues, and eradicating both of them can be challenging. Seek the help of a professional roofer for your gutter maintenance as soon as you notice the buildup of mold and mildew in your gutters.
4. Prevent Damage To Your Gutter System
Your water drainage system could get damaged if water continuously leaks from the bottom of your gutter. Clogged downspouts and sagging gutters can extensively damage your gutter system. Sagging is inevitable if any component of your gutter system has excessive weight on it. This affects the proper flow of water and can damage your gutter’s integrity. You can avoid this by maintaining your gutters. However, once your gutter system is damaged, the only solution is to either replace it or repair the affected area.
Regularly maintaining your gutters and conducting home maintenance will ensure your gutter’s longevity. You do not have to worry about any serious damage or repairs if your gutters are well-maintained.
5. Keep Your Home In Good Condition
In order to keep your home in good condition, it’s important to maintain gutters and downspouts. If you need to clean the gutters but don’t want to get up on a ladder and do-it-yourself, then you can hire a professional to do that work for you.
Conclusion
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts is a maintenance task that you should add to your routine. Your gutter system will last longer when you maintain it. Additionally, maintaining your gutters helps to improve their structural integrity. If you need help with your gutters and downspouts, call Born Carpentry of Andover, MN, at 612-747-8003.
