When it comes to maintaining our homes, we can be guilty of looking after the more obvious areas that we can see, and almost forgetting about the more integral features of our properties like guttering, that is until something goes wrong. Clogged gutters can lead to so many problems over the years if they aren’t looked after, leaving you with a hefty bill that could have easily been eradicated through a little care and attention.
The damage that clogged gutters can cause can start off fairly minimal, however, if it is left untreated can allow for un-repairable damage. Many people notice their guttering as a result of a leaky roof, usually following heavy rainfall. Once your roof begins to leak, it doesn’t take long for the water to seep into your home, which will cause internal water damage, mold, and mildew. The damage can then eventually weaken the structural integrity of your home.
Water damage
Water damage in itself can be an absolute nightmare, though many home insurance policies cover you for this type of damage, it can sometimes be more cost-effective in the long run to just handle it independently to lower the risk of premiums. Depending on how much damage you have to your property, you may even need to move out of the home for several days to allow humidity to be removed to reduce the risk of your home developing mold or mildew.
Mold and mildew
Mold and Mildew is one of the worst things you can have in your home, it can lead to asthma, allergic fungal sinusitis, eye irritation, rashes, and lung irritation, to name just a few! These symptoms are often worse for children so it is imperative that if you have a young family, you keep the risk of dampness to a minimum.
Foundations
Your foundations will begin to weaken if a clogged gutter is not professionally cleaned, there is nowhere for the water to be properly drained and so it will make its way through the home, allowing the foundations to sustain damages. The wooden structure of the house will begin to rot, whilst eroding and shifting the dirt under the building over time, this will eventually lead to cracking throughout the house due to the lack of support.
Your garden
The garden can sometimes be the first place where you begin to notice damage from a clogged gutter. The water has nowhere suitable to go, therefore it spills out onto lawns and patios. This can give off a foul smell, as well as being unsafe due to creating a slippery surface. Over time, grass will need to be re-planted due to the odorous puddled areas once they have dried out, and eventually, there will be too much damage caused to the soil to maintain any grass at all.
The lifespan of your roof will be reduced
If you have regular maintenance checks of your guttering, this can prolong the life of your roof. Roof damage can be immensely expensive to repair, with minor repairs costing anywhere between £500 – £3,000 on average – not to mention re-decorating that you will need to do once the damage has been fixed. If you are looking to sell your home at any point in the future, the roof and general house structure will be assessed, damages can result in a huge loss on the overall value of your home.