Gutter cleaning is an important part of being a homeowner and is often overlooked until it is too late and a much more expensive problem to the house has occurred. Gutters on your home serve a specific function and it does not take long for improperly working gutters to lead to bigger problems.
Ruined paint on siding and wet basements are problems typically caused by debris in your gutters, but you may be surprised to learn that the water will also go upward. When leaves pile too deeply in the gutters, water can wick into the roof sheathing and rot it, or even rot the roof rafters as well.
When your gutters are filled with debris they can fill with water and overflow causing water to get behind the fascia metal, on the wood behind the gutters and into the soffits.
Moisture is the number one cause of mold growth. Water leaks are a common cause of moisture. The worst leaks are the ones that go undetected because they are hidden out of sight. Cleaning your gutters will prevent this excess moisture.
When your gutters get plugged up the water from your roof will fill the gutters and splash on the ground below creating a trench over time.
A gutter full of debris is an ideal spot for insects to hide and make a home.
When water backs up and gets behind the gutter it may travel down the wall and sit on the foundation causing damage.
When a gutter is clean the water should be free flowing preventing standing water.