Gutter cleaning is an essential house maintenance activity that every homeowner needs to conduct regularly. If you neglect cleaning your gutters, you risk your house and your family’s health. In addition, the expenses incurred in repairing damage from clogged gutters will far exceed the costs of maintaining your gutters regularly. A clogged gutter can even reduce the overall value of your home and affect curb appeal.
But that’s not all: read on for a list of top problems caused by not cleaning gutters.
Serious Foundation Damage
Not cleaning your gutters can have a major impact on your home’s foundation. The resulting water damage can cause cracks in the walls, rot wood structures and tiles, and even affect flooring. Replacing essential structures like the roof is a highly costly affair that is not always covered by insurance.
If you have a crawl space, water flowing from the gutter can also damage the foundation of your house. Clogged gutters can cause water leaks, soften shingles and affect basement walls and ceilings.
Health Hazards
Clogged gutters can also quickly become a major health hazard for the family. The overflow from clogged gutters allows water and dampness to seep into the interiors of your home.
This moisture can cause black mold and mildew to form on the walls and ceilings. Black mold, in particular, has severe and long-term health consequences.
Rodent and Insect Infestations
Clogged gutters can lead to rodent and insect infestation in your home. Not only are pests in the home embarrassing for homeowners, but they also spread diseases and cause structural damage. Clogged gutters can collect organic matter, foliage, and standing water over time. This becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects like ants, termites, and roaches. And the worst part, all these pests multiply rapidly. Extermination is not an easy task, especially for specific categories of pests, and will cost in the form of multiple attempts to eradicate all possible intruders.
Damage to Exteriors
Clogged gutters can cause flooding and damage your exterior landscaping, affecting grass, flowers, and other foliage. Landscaping is your home’s first impression; a damaged garden can be quite unsightly. Clogged gutters can cause your patio to flood, damage furniture, and can weaken and warp doors. It may also bring flood water in through damaged windows and doors.
Get Professional Help for the Best Results
Cleaning your gutters regularly is an easy way to avoid longstanding issues, and the best way to do it is by scheduling professionals to take over. Using a professional is better than a DIY clean-up approach that may not be effective and also risky. Professionals come equipped with expertise and the best tools to do an efficient job in half the time you would take. In the long run, it is also more economical as experts will ensure the job is done perfectly in one go.
You will be saved from any safety issues from gutter cleaning and the ensuing messiness. Contact NHL Roofing & Construction for an estimate and price for your gutter cleaning and repair needs or to schedule an appointment. We offer competitive prices and excellent customer service.
