7 Signs Your Blocked Gutters Need a Thorough Cleaning

Gutters are an essential element of your home. They serve to control the flow of water away from your home and protect your home from water damage.

Gutters protect your roof, foundation, walls, and landscape. For this reason, it’s a good idea to clean them at least twice a year.

But you are busy with life and all its demands, and it’s easy to forget to clean the gutters. When this happens, debris can clog your gutters and cause damage to your home.

Gutter maintenance is crucial, but it’s one of the most overlooked household tasks. Here are 7 signs your blocked gutters need cleaning.

Staining and Mildew

Your home’s gutter system is supposed to keep excess water from pooling around the foundation. The gutter system spouts that extend out from the sides of your home allow water to spill out on the lawn instead of pooling around the foundation.

When the spouts are clogged, they stop working properly. This causes the water to spill over the sides and damage your home.

Grime and mildew can form and spread quickly. So it’s best to address the problem right away if you see any staining.

If you have wood walls, check for spongy spots that feel damp or wet to the touch. Dripping water can change the color of the paint on your walls or cause rust spots on your aluminum siding.

When water isn’t flowing through your gutters, it can lead to roof, wall, and foundation damage. This can lead to expensive repairs and cost you much more than a simple gutter cleaning.

Plants Growing in Your Gutter

Rainwater and wind bring lots of dirt and debris through your gutter. If you see plants sprouting from your gutter, you have an issue.

When you don’t clean your gutter on a regular basis, organic matter that has collected will lead to plant growth. When there’s a lot of debris in your gutter, a layer of soil can form and support the growth of hearty weeds, grass, plants, and even flowers.

You may love plants but not in your gutter. So if you see plant growth coming through, it’s time to act now and clean your gutter right away.

Peeling Paint

It’s a good idea to check your gutters for peeling paint. Most gutters have a coat of paint along with a sealant that makes them waterproof.

If the paint is peeling off, the sealant is failing which can lead to water damage. If you have metal gutters, check for flecks or red or orange on the outside.

This may indicate rust and corrosion. These issues could lead to cracks and holes forming in your gutter.

If you notice any of these issues, you should have a professional come and inspect your gutter. They can let you know the extent of the damage and how they can fix the problem.

Pests Crawling Inside

Most gutters have a few bugs here and there. But if you see squirrels or other creatures making a home in your gutters, you have a problem.

Compressed debris makes a nice home for all kinds of critters, including mice and rats, frogs, lizards, and even snakes. Yikes!

This is especially true for birds who love to build nests inside gutters. Any type of debris will block the flow of water through your gutter.

So if you notice a pest or two hanging out in your gutter, it’s time to clean it out.

Sagging Gutters

If you have neglected your gutters a long time, there’s probably a load of debris in there. This can cause your gutter to sag under the excess weight of all the water and debris.

This can lead to wall, roof, and foundation damage. If you notice your gutters are pulling, sagging, you may need more than a cleaning.

Depending on the damage, gutter replacement or repair may be necessary.

No Previous Cleanings

If you have never cleaned your gutters or you can’t remember the last time you cleaned them, you should make it a priority. In this case, it’s a good idea to get an inspection and a cleaning.

To keep your gutters in top working shape, you should clean them two to four times per year. This prevents damage to your home and can save you costly repairs to your roof and foundation.

Rainwater Spillover

Waterfalls are great but not if they’re coming from your gutters. When runoff water cannot flow through your gutter, it will spill over like a waterfall around your foundation.

This can lead to damage and expensive foundation repair. If you notice a “gutter waterfall”, you need to clean your gutters right away to avoid further damage.

Take Care of Blocked Gutters

Gutters are essential for moving water away from your home and protecting your walls, roof, and foundation. It’s when you neglect your gutters over time that you end up with a real problem on your hands.

A gutter full of sticks, leaves, and other debris can lead to a leaky roof and interior and exterior water damage. A clogged gutter is a nice home for mildew, pests, bee infestations, and other things you do not want around your home.

Depending on where you live, you should clean or have a professional clean your gutters two to four times per year. It’s also important to clean the downspout which allows the rain to flow away from your home.

If you’ve noticed the signs of blocked gutters, be sure to address the problem right away. Although you can clean your gutter yourself in some situations, it’s a dangerous and time-consuming task.

We’d love to help. Contact us today to learn about our gutter inspection and cleaning services.

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