Water is one of the most destructive forces in nature, and it wreaks havoc on your home if you don't have a way to channel it away from the foundation. Gutter cleaning and maintenance are an essential part of protecting your property from water damage. Here are just a few reasons why:
Prevents Ice Dam Formation
Ice dams are caused by snow and ice building up on the roof. The problem occurs when the snow melts on top of your home, but doesn't melt completely because it freezes at the edge of your roof. As more snow piles up on this frozen layer, it begins to slide down over your gutters and freeze again. These layers build up year after year until they form an ice dam that blocks water from draining away from beneath it. When water backs up behind an ice dam, it leaks into your home as well as causes structural damage to your house.
Prevents Animal Infestation
Animals love to nest in gutter systems, and they like to find shelter from the elements. If you don't clean your gutters on a regular basis, you end up with a rodent problem around your home that's much more serious than an infestation.
Prevents Water Damage
Even if you don’t have gutters, you may have noticed they help prevent water damage to your home. The main purpose of gutters is to divert rainwater away from your home. If they are clogged with leaves and other debris, however, water backs up and causes water damage to your home.
If you don’t regularly clean and maintain your gutters, then you may not even be aware of how much damage this causes. Water that backs up will seep into walls or even push its way into cracks in the foundation of your house!
Maintains Curb Appeal
The gutters on your home are an important part of the exterior appearance of your house. Cleaning them twice a year keeps them in good shape, and thus helps maintain the curb appeal of your home. With gutters fully clean, you are sure that rainwater will flow away from your house efficiently. This is especially important if you live in an area with frequent rains or high winds that may otherwise cause water damage to the exterior of your home.
Extends the Life of Your Roof
Gutter cleaning and maintenance extends the life of your roof.
Your gutters are a big part of the waterproofing system for your home. They catch leaves, twigs, and other debris before they get into the seams of your roof or into the shingles themselves. If this happens, it causes leaks that damage your entire roofing system sooner than necessary.
Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Gutters are essential in protecting your home from water damage. Gutters catch the rainwater that falls on the roof and channel it to a point where it is safely disposed of or stored for other uses, such as watering your lawn. If gutters become clogged with debris or overgrown with plants, water pools and causes various problems, leading to significant damage.
If you're not sure whether you need gutter cleaning or maintenance, here are some signs:
- Your gutters appear clogged or dirty when they're not filled with leaves and other debris
- You've noticed cracks forming in your foundation around the base of your home's exterior walls after periods of heavy rainfall
The potential damage to your home is too great to ignore. If you have gutters, they should be cleaned and maintained regularly by a professional, like Lewing Roofing. Make sure you always contact Lewis Roofing, who knows how important good gutter maintenance is for your property!
