New Homeowners: 4 Reasons To Keep Your Gutters Clean

14 September 2015

Alexa Morales

If this is your first time owning a house, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the maintenance that needs to be done around your home. It can also be easy to not even realize all the season maintenance steps that you need to take. You need to clean out your gutters or hire someone to clean out your at least twice a year, preferably in the fall and in the spring. Here are a few reasons why it is extremely important for you to clean out your gutters at least twice a year, and make sure they are debris free.  

#1 Debris Can Cause Overflowing Gutters & Poor Water Flow

If you do not clean out your gutters, debris can easily pile up. When a big rainstorm hits, your gutters will not be able to handle all of the water that flows into them. Instead of all the rain on your roof rolling down to your gutters, through your drain, and away from your home, all the rain will spill over your gutters and all over the ground next to your home.

Excess water spilling onto the ground next to your home, instead of through your gutter system and away from your home, overtime can cause problems with your foundation and can even lead to cracks in your foundation. If you have a basement, this is a good way to end up with a flooded basement.

#2 Debris Can Create Standing Water & Lead To Unwanted Guests

If you don't clean your gutters and let debris accumulate, water will not flow through your gutters like it is suppose to. When it sprinkles or rains just a little bit, the water will not be able to make its way through your gutters and away from your home if they are full of debris. Instead, the water will sit in your gutters. Over time, standing water can turn into a breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes.

Mold, mildew and bacteria also thrive in standing water. These three things can easily spread from your gutters to your roof, and lead to a compromised roof as well as compromised gutters.

#3 Debris Can Attract Pests & Cause Them To Make Your House Their Home

Another side effect of leaving debris in your gutters, such as acorns and leaves, is that these items can attract pests. Squirrels and chipmunks will play on your roof, eat out of your gutters, and may even try to get into your attic and turn it into a cozy home when your gutters offer an easy food supply.

#4 Debris Can Create A Fire Hazard

Finally, allowing leaves and other debris to accumulate in your gutters can create a fire hazard. In the summer, when all the water is gone and all the debris in your gutters is dried up, they can easily catch fire and send your home up in flames. This is especially a concern if you live in an area that is currently experiencing a drought and has fire warnings in place.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for taking care of all aspects of your home, including your roofing. Make sure you don't forget to clean your gutters this fall; gutters cluttered with debris can lead to a whole host of other issues that you can avoid by simply cleaning them out on a regular basis.

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