Why Gutter Protection is Way More Important Than You Think

When it comes to home maintenance, cleaning your gutters may not be at the top of your list, but it should be! Proper gutter care is imperative for keeping the foundation of your home in good condition. Neglecting your gutters can have serious and expensive consequences.

The Purpose of Gutters

Gutters are designed to funnel rain and melted snow that hit your roof away from your home. They protect your siding, windows, roofs, doors and foundation from water damage. They also reduce the chance of erosion and mold in and around your home.

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The Consequences of Neglecting Your Gutters

Failure to regularly maintain your gutters can lead to serious and costly damages. Below are the types of home issues that arise when you neglect your gutter system:

1. Roof Repairs – If your gutters get clogged with debris, they will overflow because the water has nowhere to go. The water then will start to accumulate on your roof, and the longer the water sits, the greater the chance of surface decay and fungi. The development of algae and decay will weaken your roof shingles and cause leaks ranging from minor to serious. If the damage to your roof is extensive, a professional roofing team is needed to repair the damages, which can be costly.
2. Mold – Clogged gutters can not only lead to a damaged roof, but also mold growth within your home. Mold requires moisture to grow, and the more water damage there is in a home, the easier and more quickly mold can grow. Mold in the home can cause serious health issues for residents living there, such as throat irritation, nasal congestion, eye irritation, excessive coughing and skin conditions. Mold is a tough obstacle to death with and almost always requires professional attention.
3. Foundation Issues – If gutters aren’t functioning properly, it’s only a short trip into the basement through a crack or window well; meaning, water will have easy access to the inside of your home. If enough water accumulates around the base of your home, there will be unpreventable basement seepage that can seriously damage the foundation of a home. The foundation can begin to crack, shift or sink. Repairing a home’s foundation is a tedious, expensive task that you cannot do yourself.
4. Erosion – Neglected gutters will not only affect your home, but also the land surrounding it. The overflow of water as a result of the clogged gutters will land on flower beds, trees and greenery in the surrounding area. Too much water for landscaping is not good. Pools and puddles of stagnant water will not only cause your landscape to erode, but it will also attract mosquitos and other unwanted animals.

Get Proactive

These problems can be easily prevented. Cleaning out your gutters on a regular basis is a key factor in preventing your gutters from getting clogged; however, cleaning out your gutters multiple times a year be a tedious task, and paying someone to clean them can become expensive! Gutter guards are a time-saving, effective product for keeping debris out of your gutters. No matter what method of gutter protection you choose, it’s still important to check your gutters periodically. Maintaining a clean gutter is the single most effective way to avoid extensive and serious problems with your home. The time it will take for you to clean out your gutters or install preventable measures is worth saving the thousands of dollars you would have to spend if damage occurred.

About Marissa Eisenbrei
Marissa Eisenbrei is a communications specialist based out of Akron, OH. If she isn’t writing, you can find her drinking tea or practicing yoga.

Note: This is a guest post; the views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Redfin.