What Kind of Damage Can Clogged Gutters Cause?

When water falls onto your roof, where does it go? If your gutters are clear, the downspout capacity can release thousands of gallons poured out and away from your home. But if they get clogged, that water can cause all kinds of damage. 

Water is incredibly harmful to building materials, causing rot, mold, cracking, and more. Here are several kinds of damage water can cause from a clogged gutter. With one call to First Coast Home Pros, you won’t have to worry about your gutters causing these issues.

Gutter Damage

Your gutters hold the weight of flowing water. But once a clog happens, water can stay stuck in your gutter and weigh it down more than it can handle. If this happens long enough, your gutter could detach from the side of your house and create gaps for water to enter your roofline.

Over time, the weight and the rot could cause the entire system to pull away from your home. It could even fall on someone. By the time this happens, you’re sure to have water damage in your roof from the failed gutter.

Roof Leaking

Overflowing gutters can push water between the edge of the gutter and the roof, causing rot. Eventually, water will seep through the rotted part of your roof and cause a mold problem, which could lead to all kinds of health issues and expensive cleanup.

It can also cause stains on your walls if the water can get into the room. By the time you see those, you have more than a gutter problem. You’ll need someone with roofing experience to inspect the shingles and replace the rotten sheathing.

Landscape Damage

If you have plants underneath your gutter, an overflowing gutter could pour water down onto them. Most plants do not do well with too much water. You could lose an expensive plant and have to replace it to keep the look of your home.

Foundation Damage

When water collects near your foundation, it can seep into the soil and into your foundation. Over time, this can cause cracking and leaks into your basement. If this happens for too long, you could even lose the structural integrity of your foundation and cause your home to slip or sag.

Insect Infiltration 

If there’s a gap in your roof and enough water to support life, your roof could become a home for an insect colony. Flying insects could make a nest near your clogged gutter. You don’t want to inspect the damage and find a giant wasp nest living in your home!

Preventing Clogged Gutters

Cleaning your clogged gutters twice a year will keep them running smoothly, so you never have to worry about your gutter causing these problems. While you’re up on the roof, it’s a good idea to give it a good sweep if there is any tree debris. Removing it before the rain washes it into your gutter will make the job easier next time, and it could help your roof’s health, too.

If you need professional help to clean your clogged gutters, contact First Coast Home Pros for a free estimate. We’ll be happy to help you keep your gutters clean and preserve the value of your home.