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The Importance of Gutter Cleaning

When you think about ways to protect and improve your home, you may consider many things; installing smoke alarms, waterproofing wooden surfaces, improving insulation. But one thing that probably doesn’t get the attention that it deserves is your gutters. If gutter cleaning isn’t a top priority for you right now, there are a few reasons you should make it one. Gutters protect your home from many types of home destruction, but they can only do their job right if they’re properly cared for and kept clean. Clogged and neglected gutters will end up doing your home more harm than good. Here are a few common issues that can be easily avoided by taking good care of your gutters:

Roof Damage

The first thing you will notice about your roof with clogged or damaged gutters is water damage. Gutters that haven’t been correctly maintained will spill over, causing damage to your roof and underlying materials. If your roof is made mainly of wood-based materials, this means rot will occur due to the constant contact with water.

Clogged gutters will cause more immediate damage to your roof as well. When gutters become clogged they become heavily weighted down with water and debris. This can cause the gutter attachments to pull away from the roof as the structure collapses. A heavy gutter tearing its way free from your roof will cause damages that may be costly and difficult to repair.

Foundation Damage

The main purpose of gutters is to guide water away from your home. Water is an incredibly powerful force, and it can be incredibly damaging to your home if allowed to flow unchecked. Gutters clogged with waterlogged debris will soon overflow, and the overflow will pool right up against the sides of your home. This constant pooling of water leads to a slow erosion of your home’s foundation. You may not consider this to be a major problem at first, but as water continues to wear away at your foundation more and more it can actually cause your foundation to crack. A cracked foundation will be a problem throughout the entire structure of your home, and if left untreated it can be the cause of many expensive and time-consuming repairs.

Basement Water Leaks

As the foundation begins to crack, it will eventually lead to one of the most dangerous but subtle kind of household damages – basement leaks. A large crack in the foundation isn’t needed to cause a leak; even the smallest crack will allow water to enter, leading to a slew of structural issues. First of all is basement flooding. A flooded basement will cause problems not only in the structure of your home, but with any items you have stored there as well. Water is extremely damaging to household items, as it is always followed by rot and mold growth.

This is a problem you’ll definitely want to avoid, not only for your house but for your family’s health. Having a moldy basement is a common problem, but it can have serious consequences. Mold in any form isn’t good for your health, but some types are more dangerous than others. If anyone in your family suffers from respiratory issues or allergies, having mold or mildew in the basement will only make those issues worse.

 

Gutters can be the cause of many household issues, but they certainly don’t have to be. By keeping your gutters cleaned and maintained, you can easily avoid a number of costly, annoying, and even dangerous problems in your home. Because it’s so important to have your gutters properly maintained, it’s best to hire a professional service that will check and repair them regularly. If you’re looking for a trusted professional in the northern New Jersey area, contact us at 888-399-0955 today.