Not many people like to clean their gutters. It’s backbreaking work that requires climbing up and
down a ladder a lot, which means it can be dangerous too. And even though you only have to clean your gutters twice a year, it can seem like an endless, menial task that feels like it comes round all too quickly. But there is one thing that’s much worse: the consequences of neglecting to clean them.
What happens if you don’t clean your gutters? Well, here are 6 problems that arise from not cleaning your guttering, which will get you out there scraping away the leaves, in a jiffy.
1. Serious Structural Damage
This is the big one.
Neglecting to clean your gutters could literally cause your home to fall apart. And it would probably happen faster than you think. Leaves in gutters create problems. Leaves and other debris trap excess water in the gutters during the rain, which is then unable to escape through the downpipes. Over time, the water will escape the gutters and seep through into your walls and roof, creating cracks and fissures along the way. These expand as more water enters, and can eventually compromise the foundations of your home.
Seeping water will also rot wood as it comes into contact with it, and damage tiles and other materials. Rebuilding after such a scenario can be very expensive indeed.
2. Substantial Roof Damage
If leaves are in your gutters creating problems and your gutters are clogged, the waters after heavy rain will tend to seep into the roof as well. Much like in the walls, these occur through tiny hairline fissures which gradually expand over time.
Those that live in sub zero climates (which admittedly isn’t many in Australia) are even more at risk. When the water freezes inside these fissures, it causes them to rapidly expand, which can damage your home much more quickly than normal.
3. Damage Won’t Be Covered By Your Insurance
A responsible homeowner will take out insurance that covers any inadvertent damage to their home. However, read the fine print and you’ll find that no insurance policy will cover damage caused by neglect. And yes, not bothering to clean your gutters every so often certainly does count as neglect.
Always check your home insurance policies to see what is an isn’t covered for your roof.
4. Mould and Pollen Related Allergies
As water seeps into your home through these fissures, it could result in a serious mould or mildew outbreak. In the right conditions – usually humid and dark – mould and mildew are known to spread like wildfire and can easily overrun a substantial portion of your home. Once these tiny fungi have established their colonies, they’re extremely difficult and costly to get rid of. In fact, it’s often necessary to replace entire sections of carpet.
Of course, you’re probably aware that mould and mildew provoke serious health issues such as throat irritation, coughing, and wheezing. Another effect of an uncleaned gutter is that they tend to trap large amounts of pollen in the spring, which can magnify the allergies of those who suffer during that time of year.
5. You Could Attract Unwanted Visitors
Clogged gutters are a goldmine for all kinds of creatures, due to the huge amount of potential nutrients they store. Critters such as birds, mice, rats, and possums will descend on your dirty gutters in search of food, potentially damaging them in the process.
Another possible drawback is that if left neglected for too long, the animals could enter your home through the cracks and holes. This could lead to an animal living inside your attic or between your walls, which will result in scratching noises at best and an awful smell at worst.
They can also create cement and mortar damage which could lead to the need for a roof repair.
6. They’ll Smell and Look Bad
If you’re someone that takes pride in the appearance of your home, then it’d be silly not to keep your gutters clean. As they pile up with leaves and debris, your roof will look unkempt which greatly subtracts from the aesthetics of your home. Note also that the moisture trapped in the leaves leads to a mouldy smell, that can sometimes be detected from the ground.
So, what happens if you don’t clean your gutters? It can create lots of damage and financial consequences.
Although cleaning your gutters is a pain, neglecting to do so is far more painful in the long run. Keep these six issues in mind when deciding whether or not you need to clean your gutters. And remember, a professional
service could do it quicker and cheaper than you think. What would take you hours, or even a full day we can usually complete in an hour.
IS GUTTER DAMAGE COVERED BY INSURANCE? No insurance company will cover damage due to neglect. If your gutters leak and cause damage because you have neglected to clean them this will not be covered under insurance.
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