As a part of your fall cleanup before winter comes around, make sure you focus on your gutters. They may seem like an unimportant area to focus, but too much debris or damage could lead to much more damage to your home.
Dirt, leaves, and debris buildup inside gutters, making them ineffective. Not only do they protect your home’s integrity, but if not cleaned, they can cause expensive damage to your home, damaging your pocketbook alongside your home.
Just what can clean gutters do? Here are the top benefits.
Protect your Home from Water Leaks
Ever heard of ice dams? They’re not pretty. They happen when water backs up in the gutter and can’t get through. When ice forms it puts pressure on that area of the home causing damage to both the interior and exterior of the home. Suddenly you may have water damage and mold inside because of the clogged gutters.
Protect your Roof
The roof is your home’s protector. Water that has nowhere to go builds up and puts pressure on your roof, causing it to weaken. With too much water pressure, roofs can rot, collapse, or have water damage that eventually leaks into the home causing mold and mildew issues too.
Protect your Foundation
Water that’s stuck around the perimeter of your home puts the foundation at risk. As it goes through various temperatures, it freezes and expands, which causes foundations to crack. A cracked foundation is detrimental to the home’s overall integrity. Not only can it cause issues with mold and mildew, but it can also put the home’s strength at risk and make it impossible to sell the home as most lenders won’t allow a cracked foundation.
Stop Rodents from Taking up Residence
Leaves, sticks, and debris are a rodent’s best friend. If they’re easily accessible in your gutter, it’s like a welcome sign for rodents. They’ll build their nests in your gutters, which leads to a multitude of problems including damage inside your home if they work their way in or create access into your home.
You’ll Save Money
Did you notice one similarity within all of the factors above? All issues would cost money and if you just cleaned the gutters, you wouldn’t have to spend it. Cleaning gutters is virtually free unless you hire someone to do it, which it’s worth every penny.
If you don’t, your home may suffer serious consequences that require repairs and renovations that you weren’t planning. Make it a habit to clean your gutters at least twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. This eliminates the dirt, debris, and leaves that accumulate in your gutters that you can’t see from the streets.
You’ll get cleaner gutters and a safer home that isn’t subjected to the damages water, ice, rodents, and other outdoor elements may cause if you aren’t careful. If you don’t want to clean the gutters yourself, hire professionals to do the job for you, and protect your home’s integrity.