Uncategorized January 14, 2021

Silent Damage of Clogged Gutters

It’s the rainy season, it’s very important that your gutters are clean!! Here are a few reasons why not to delay this pesky chore:

Foundation Problems:  Clogged gutters allow water to spill over the sides and pour down your siding of your house. Pooling water around your foundation can cause erosion which weakens the walls, leading to foundation cracks and settling.

Broken Gutters: When your gutters are clogged, the water they collect has no place to go. Instead, it fills your gutters to the brim, making them heavy and possibly break.

Wall and ceiling damage: Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks on the inside of your home. Clogged gutters cause standing water which then in tern leaks into your house, causing indoor water damage.

Mold: It’s only a matter of time before standing water turns into mold. You know you have a problem when mold is beginning to breed inside of your roof, attic, and the walls of your house.

Wet Basement: If your basement isn’t waterproofed, the water pouring down your foundation can lead to a damp basement. This is caused by water seeping through your basement’s porous walls and floor.

Insect infestations: Nobody likes mosquitos in their backyard. But pooling water in your gutters can be the perfect breeding ground for them. Damp mud and leaves can also be an inviting place for bees and wasps to build their nests.

Tips on Cleaning your gutters:

Ladder: Your ladder should be sturdy, safe and large enough to get to the roof with out standing on the top rungs.

Be sure to have someone nearby in case of an emergency.

Thick suede gloves and long sleeves add an extra layer of protection against bacteria, cuts and pests.

I use this tool, attach it to an extension pole and it makes cleaning gutters a lot quicker- it reaches far making you have to move the ladder a lot less.

Know when to hire a pro: If the job is too physically demanding or you’d prefer to play it safe and hassle-free, give me a call and I can give you a recommendation on someone to clean your gutters!