4 Shocking Links Between Clogged Gutters and Water Damage

Have you ever wondered about water damage and your gutters? Although beautiful, the falling leaves of Autumn in the Fairfield and Westchester County area can create a bigger hassle than having to rake them up. They also clog your gutters, which can lead to water damage to your home.

One of the most vital home maintenance tasks is preventing water damage by checking and cleaning gutters and downspouts. Accumulated leaves in your gutters can trap water, leading to moisture seeping under shingles and causing rot, shingle deterioration, and potential structural damage to your roof over time.

Be Proactive to Prevent Water Damage

Be sure to check for clogs, leaks, structural failure, and sagging. The intent of gutters is to channel water away from your house. However, they can’t do their job effectively if they become clogged with leaves, twigs, or other debris. This trash can keep gutters from being able to move water away from your home, causing overflowing and pooling water around your home’s foundation, leading to basement flooding, structural deterioration, and other water damage.

A 1,000 sq. ft. roof sheds about 620 gallons of water during a 1-inch rainfall. If that water swamps a clogged or damaged gutter system, it could end up next to your foundation, eroding it over time. Remove debris so it doesn’t block the inlets of the downspouts and prevent them from doing their job. Also, ensure your downspout extensions discharge water far from the foundation. If you don’t care to see downspout extensions laying across your yard, install underground downspout drainage lines with pop-up drainage emitters to keep water from gutters far from your home.

It’s best to check your gutters and downspouts on your Fairfield or Westchester County home at least twice a year; in the spring and fall. Use a ladder to climb up and inspect the gutters for debris. Remove any trash and use a hose to flush the gutters and downspouts. If you’re not comfortable doing this job, hire a professional to do it for you.

Will Gutter Guards Keep Them Clean?

But what if you have gutter guards? Won’t they keep your gutters clear and flowing freely? Gutter guards are great because they significantly reduce dirt and debris in gutters but won’t prevent seeds, insects, and small dirt particles from getting in. Over time, these can greatly accumulate. So your gutters will still require cleaning at least once a year.

Not all gutter guards and screens are identical, meaning some types allow more debris than others. Unfortunately, gutter guards also take away instant access to the gutters. You’ll need a screwdriver or cordless drill to remove and clean them out properly. It’s probably best to hire a professional gutter cleaning service to do this chore.

Another drawback of gutter guards is that they can cause ice dams to form on your gutters and cause water damage. Poor attic ventilation is a common cause of ice dams, but a buildup of ice and snow on gutter guards can also contribute to this issue.

When Cleaning Your Gutters is Long Overdue

Yes, clogged gutters are more than just a nuisance. They can also lead to water damage to your property. If your gutters haven’t been cleaned in a long time, water may eat away at your foundation and/or your roof, while causing mold issues in other parts of your home.

If your homeowner’s insurance company has inspected your property and found water damage, call PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield immediately. We’re an experienced restoration company that handles everything from water mitigation to mold remediation. Always know that we’re here to help with advanced equipment, industry-certified techniques, and the best water damage restoration teams in the Fairfield and Westchester County area. Visit our website or call us at 475.277.2400 to connect with us, your local PuroClean office.