Human beings are renowned for being hospitable in nature. Guests are welcome everywhere in the world but pests are not. However, if you do not keep your gutters clean, you are unwittingly welcoming the pests as well.
Winter is just round the corner and so is autumn. Thus, you see leaves falling all over the place. These leaves can easily clog gutter lines thereby preventing free flow of water. The consequences of not cleaning the gutter can be disastrous. Let us look into some of them in brief.
Leaks in gutters
Repairing gutter lines is most important especially before winter sets in. There can be accumulation of leaves, bird droppings, insect waste, and many more ingredients leading to choking of the gutters. Your gutter will not be able to bear this excess weight and can develop leaks at its joints. These leaks can cause water to flow over the walls of the building thereby providing a perfect breeding ground for moss and molds.
Leaking roofs
A clogged gutter can lead to water overflowing on the terrace. This accumulation of water can encourage growth of molds and moss. It weakens the terrace flooring and can result in to water seepage inside your house. Usually, you find concealed electrical wiring in homes today. This seepage can very well find its way through the electrical wiring passages and cause short circuits leading to greater damage.
Damaged basements
One of the serious consequences of not cleaning your gutter lines is that water does not flow into the drains. It overflows over the side of the building and enters the basement. The accumulation of water in the basement can again cause gas leaks, electrical short circuits, and damage to property. In addition, this stinking water can become the breeding ground for insects such as roaches and other dangerous pests. They might eventually find their way into your homes causing you great discomfort.
Weaken foundation
Stagnant water can be very dangerous. It can easily eat into your foundation and weaken the entire structure. Many houses have wooden foundations. Stagnant water is the biggest enemy of wood. It can rot and decay thereby weakening the structure. Iron foundations can also develop rust and result in erosion. Cleaning gutters ensures easy drainage of water. Foundations can also develop cracks eventually leading to entry of mold inside your houses.
Invitation to insects
You are welcoming insects and pests into your home if you do not clean your gutters regularly. Unclean gutters are the perfect breeding ground for insects like roaches, spiders, carpenter ants, and other dangerous pests. Stagnant water invites mosquitoes leading to outbreak of diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Termites can also have a field day in these unclean gutters. You end up spending a lot of money in medical care as well as in eliminating these pests. Cleaning the gutters regularly would have nipped this issue in the bud.
Damage to sidewalks / driveway
Spillage of water on to your sidewalks and driveway can cause stagnation. This can lead to formation of moss thereby making the area slippery. Someone may have a nasty fall leading to serious injuries. Cleaning the gutters can prevent the water from overflowing on to your sidewalks. This can also help your plants to grow properly.
Drown the landscape
Overflowing gutters can cause water to spill over to your gardens. This waste water can stagnate and affect your flowering plants. Excess watering can make your plants to look dull and eventually die. This affects the landscape adversely. It can make the garden look soggy as well. Cleaning the gutters in time can save you from a lot of damage later on.
Damage the looks of the exterior
Water overflowing from the sides of walls can mar the external look of the structure. The formation of molds and moss can accentuate matters to a great degree. You might end up spending a fortune in setting the issue right. Spending a couple of hundred dollars to clean the gutters would have been a wiser thing to do.
Final thoughts
You have just seen the damage that a clogged gutter can cause. Cleaning it regularly is not a tough job at all. It can save you thousands of dollars in the bargain. You also end up inviting pests into your house instead of guests. Now, it is your house. Therefore the choice is entirely yours.
