When gutters become clogged, water will not be able to properly divert from your home. Instead, water will spill down the side of the gutters, causing a number of different problems, such as foundation damage, structural problems, mold, and basement flooding. When the gutters become clogged with debris, the water settles until it begins to seep through the roof and walls. As this happens, you will notice leaks inside your home, as well as cracks in the roof due to water.
Over time, leaks will worsen until you clear the standing water and clean the gutters. Heavy gutters filled with water and debris can damage panels and fascia. If they break, water can enter your home and cause further damage. When gutters are clogged and temperatures drop below freezing, ice causes problems in a number of ways.
Clogged gutters become heavy and can leave your home. If water has flowed down the gutters to the terrace, driveway or sidewalks, it can freeze and cause a risk of slipping. Gutters are an essential part of your home that can help protect your property and family from water and debris that falls when hit. Not only do dirty gutters look bad, but they can damage the roof if there is enough dirt that causes the gutters to sag and separate from the roof.
You can help protect your gutters by investing in rain gutter covers that can help prevent leaves, branches and other debris from accumulating inside the gutters and causing worsening damage. Another consequence that you may not even realize is that an obstructed gutter can cause the destruction of your driveway and patio. When there is poor drainage, excess water can build up and cause mold to grow in your driveway. In the winter months, water could freeze and turn to ice, causing dangerous slips and falls.
If you live in a location that experiences heavy rain and a lot of leaves during the fall, it might be worth cleaning gutters quarterly. Fortunately, there are exceptional gutter cleaners in Vancouver, such as Clean Break Home Services, who know how to get the job done right. It can be difficult to tell if gutters are obstructed, unless you can get an aerial view of your roof and gutters. While the best first line of defense is to clean gutters on a routine basis, there are some warning signs you can look out for to make sure the problem doesn't progress to something more serious.
Stains on the lining or on the downspouts and gutters are a telltale sign that the gutters have overflowed due to a blockage. If you don't have any gutter cover or guard and you have sloped trees on your roof, you'll be more susceptible to gutter clogging problems. That's because cleaning gutters can help prevent anything from honeycombs to a bad foundation. If you have an entrance, you risk damage or destruction in the same way if you don't regularly clean the gutters to avoid blockages.
One of the best ways to prevent a basement from flooding is with an effective gutter system that includes aluminum gutter covers. Even the best gutter covers and protectors can't stop all debris from entering and blocking the gutters. For gutter cleaning in Vancouver, where it rains most of the year, you may need to do it more often, especially if your home is next to trees that move frequently. Adding gutter covers to your gutter system can extend the time needed between cleanings, but it won't save you from a basement flood.
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