With spring showers, you may be wondering if cleaning your gutters is worth it. Here’s why they are important. Your home’s gutters have a sole purpose – collect rainwater from your roof and divert the flow away from your home. If your gutters are blocked, this could lead to damages ranging from slight to severe, both of which will cost you money. Learn why repeatedly checking on your gutters is essential for your roof’s quality.
Your Home Can Experience Roof Leaks
Gutters are the main source for rainwater to easily run off your roof and away from your house. If this source becomes clogged, there is nowhere else for the water to go except to back up on your roof. The water will become too much for your roof to hold, causing a leak.
A leak can easily start in your attic, but if not taken seriously or acting fast enough, that leak can go as far as affecting your ceiling. All leaks start out small but can become enormous if left unattended. It may not look like much at first, but if you notice a stain or crack in your home’s ceiling, be sure to investigate a roof leak.
Overflow Can Occur
Along with a leak through the attic, clogged gutters can cause seepage into your home’s fascia, known as overflow. Fascia is the board that runs along the edge of your roof and is typically where your gutters are attached.
The fascia directly connects to the trusses and rafters of your home and, if exposed to moisture, can cause serious damage to your home’s roofing system. Moisture in these roofing components will make your home vulnerable to water spots on your ceiling and even cause mold to form.
Watch Out for Mold and Mildew
Once the water starts to pool from a clogged gutter, mold and mildew can easily grow. Fungus loves moisture and is easily attracted by it, if that water gets backed up enough, that mold and mildew will start to expand from your roof to your attic and ceilings.
This can cause serious health issues for you and your family, especially for those prone to your allergies. Even if you can’t spot mold and mildew right away, you may be able to smell it. A damp, musty odor will typically linger within your home along with stains on your ceiling in various colors.
Once you see the signs of mold and mildew growth, taking care of the problem immediately is important. If left unfixed, the leak and the fungus will only grow, causing more problems and more money to be spent.
Get The Experts Involved
Overall, having a clogged gutter can cause severe damage to your Minnesota home’s foundation without you even knowing. Making sure you periodically check your gutters for a clear pathway is essential for your roofing system to work correctly.
If you continuously notice problems with your roof occurring because of poor gutter maintenance, you may not have caught the problem in time. You may need to get the experts involved. All Craftsmen Exteriors has vast experience working directly with Minneapolis homeowners and landlords of multi-family properties. We specialize in roofing maintenance and can quickly let you know what the problem is with your roof.
Before the damage worsens, contact us today for a free inspection. Whether you need a small maintenance fix, a simple repair, or an entire roof replacement, we can help!
