How Gutters Protect Your Home And Why Cleaning Them Is So Important
Gutters may not look like much, but they have a big job in the protection of your home. Gutters take rainwater from your roof and direct it away from your home so that it doesn't damage your foundation or landscaping. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year in order to be effective, as gutters get clogged with leaves, twigs, and nests made by small animals. If you want to keep your gutters clean throughout the year, gutter screen installation is a possibility. Whether you are looking for a new gutter installation on your home or you need to have your current gutter system repaired understanding the importance of gutters is beneficial.
When Gutters Are Clogged
Once gutters become clogged with debris, water is not going to be able to flow freely away from your home. This can cause water to get up and under the edge of your eaves, getting into your home. Water can also pour over the top of the gutter, damaging the landscaping below. If too much water gets into the soil below your gutters, it can begin to cause damage to your foundation.
Ice Dams and Your Gutters
Clogged gutters will cause ice to form within your gutters. This adds weight to your gutters that can cause the gutters to pull away from your home. Once this occurs, your gutters will no longer be protecting your property. If you find ice dams, this usually indicates gutters are full.
Protecting Your Property
Water can cause significant damage to your property. As water floods into the soil around your foundation, this causes pressure on the walls of your foundation. Cracks can appear, and this will cause leaks into your basement to occur. If you find a line of water droplets from the gutters above, the water is getting between the gutters and the roof of your home.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
If you aren't planning to get your gutters cleaned twice a year, invest in a gutter screen installation. When you notice problems with leaks or ice buildup, have a gutter cleaning service come and check out what is going on. Cleaning your gutters ensures that your gutters are in good working order and are ready to bring water away from your home.
Gutters keep your home protected from water damage. Gutter screens can keep out the biggest debris, but your gutters should still be checked periodically for cleaning purposes.