Fall is a time of change, and that includes the work you do on and around your home. Although the major tasks like mowing the lawn and raking leaves are over, you still have plenty to do. Take this time to focus on your gutters as the leaves are falling from trees – that way, you don’t have to worry about cleaning them out after the fact. Cleaning them out is also important for the health of your roof.
Gutters catch rain, snow, and ice during the winter and protect your roof, walls, and foundation from water damage. All winter, leaving accumulated debris in your gutters can lead to ice dams on your roof. Ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes on top of your roof and cannot drain away properly. This causes water to pool behind the ice dam, which causes leaks, mold, and structural damage to your home.
Keeping your gutters clean also helps to keep pests away from your home. Rodents, insects, and birds thrive in clogged gutters filled with leaves, dirt, and debris. Leaving these pests to their own devices can cause irreparable damage. Rodents and insects can eat away at your roofing, causing leaks to occur and mold to grow. Birds can build nests in your gutters which does not allow your gutters to drain properly.
It is always best to check your gutters regularly, not just when you are having drainage problems. Be sure to check them before and after a big storm to make sure you have no blockages. Also, be sure to check them before the first freeze. You don’t want to have a frozen pile of leaves in your gutters all winter. You want the snow to be able to melt and drain away. If you leave it to sit, you risk letting it seep through your shingles and into your home.
In the end, no one is perfect. Your friends at Sterling Construction can come to help you if you have suffered roof damage due to clogged gutters.
