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Things That Happen When You Don’t Clean Your Gutters
Roof Leaks
If your gutters aren’t cleaned regularly and get clogged with leaves, the water will end up pooling back onto your roof. From there, it can get underneath your shingles or weigh upon your roof until the pressure causes leaks. If gutters do not drain properly, this will contribute to ice building up in them during the winter. This will keep melted snow from draining off the roof properly and will keep that water and wet snow against the house. Often, that water will migrate into the house and result in ceiling leaks, wall leaks and moisture in the attic.
Basement Leaks
If the water doesn’t go back onto your roof, it can spill over the side of your house and settle around your foundation, eventually leaking into your basement. If you’ve noticed water spots on your basement walls, this is probably why. Just as clogged gutters can damage a building’s foundation by allowing water to collect close to the base of the structure, this water can also infiltrate basement walls. When water collects in large quantities against a basement wall, it is almost inevitable that it will find its way into the basement. If water does leak into the basement, this can cause black mold, smells, water damage and flooding.
Wood Rot
If water end ups settling around your wooden windows and door frames, it can slowly rot the material, leaving you with gaps that let your AC and heat out and, potentially, unwelcome critters in. And if the water affects your walls, you could find yourself with a more serious infrastructure problem. If gutters are clogged, water will overflow onto the building and also will be trapped in the gutter after rain. This moisture will cause rot in wood fascia and soffit boards (the wood near where gutters are attached). This wood rot can spread to adjacent areas, such as the attic, and also provides an easy point of entry for rodents.
Insect Infestation
The debris in gutters, especially when moist, is a very attractive habitat to insects. These insects will be attracted to the inside of the house when the weather changes, and so can lead to insect infestation within the home. Also, wood-eating insects such as termites and carpenter ants are attracted to rotting leaves and branches that collect in gutters and so not cleaning gutters can lead to an infestation of those damaging pests.
Foundation and Basement Damage
Improperly functioning gutters tend to allow water to slide down the siding or land directly beneath the eaves of roofing installations. Not only can this stain siding, but this water seeps into the soil around foundations, which can lead to basement flooding and foundation damage. Again, freezing temperatures and water result in slippery, icy surfaces along with concrete expansion that can leave cracks behind.
Signs of Gutter Neglect
Gutters are not transparent, so you can’t see what is inside them or visually detect where they may be clogged from ground level. However, there are other signs that gutters need cleaning that CAN be detected without ever stepping on a ladder or having a formal inspection.
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Signs of Natural ‘Invaders’: Any signs of birds nesting, excessive mosquitoes, or indications of other small pests tend to indicate an accumulation of debris that they find suitable to house or breed in. Hence, clogs exist or will soon.
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Water Overflowing From Sides of Gutters: Unless it’s a torrential downpour overloading the gutters, overflowing water from the sides generally indicates that impediments exist in the system.
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Stained Siding: Clogs allow dirty water to sit in gutters for long periods, and when released, this water can drip down the siding and cause stains. Stagnant water can also cause damage to the fascia behind gutters or damage roofing shingles above the gutter line.
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Gutter Gardens: Seeds from trees and floating pollinators can land in gutters and start literally growing a garden. While particularly problematic in foam-bottomed gutters, this can occur in any installation if debris and dirt are present inside them to serve as a home to a root system.
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Sagging Gutters: If there are any unlevel or low points visible in the gutter system, it’s likely due to excessive buildup or because water has sat stagnant in them for extended periods.
