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When it comes to home maintenance, the importance of a functioning gutter is often overlooked. However, although gutters are generally out of sight, they shouldn’t remain out of mind. Maintaining your gutter on a regular basis can prevent costly damage to your home and property down the line.
Water Damage
The primary purpose of gutters is to manage the water that collects on the outside of your home during rainfall. Gutters are responsible for transporting rainwater away from your home and depositing it at a safe distance. Clogged and broken gutters spell trouble for your home. Water damage resulting from malfunctioning gutters can manifest in the form of roof leaks, stained siding, and even flooding. These issues require costly repairs and can be easily prevented with proper gutter maintenance.
Pest Infestation
Another unwelcome side effect of malfunctioning gutters is that they can lead to an infestation of insects and rodents. If the gutters are clogged, the debris and pooled water creates an inviting breeding ground for pests. Mosquitoes are especially fond of still water, however they are the least of your worries when it comes to infestation. Rodents and wood damaging insects that are attracted to your gutters could easily find a way into your home and cause unsanitary messes and expensive structural damage.
Foundational Damage
Gutters that don’t function properly may prevent water from getting carried to where it needs to go. Part of the reason our homes don’t sink into the ground during a heavy rainfall is that our gutters are transporting rainwater to a location where it can safely runoff into the soil. If a gutter is cracked or overflowing, water can end up leaking into your property and eroding your topsoil. Not only will this affect your landscaping, it can also cause damage to your home’s structural foundation. Once the foundation is damaged, it’s often exceedingly difficult to repair.
Gutter Inspection
As you can see, improperly functioning gutters can lead to a whole host of issues in the long term that are difficult and expensive to repair. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you regularly inspect your gutters and take quick action on any issues you encounter. Leaks and water damage, both internal and external, could indicate that your gutters are either clogged or broken. In many cases, a regular cleaning is enough to keep your gutters functioning properly. When in doubt, always hire a professional to inspect your gutters.
For most homes we recommend getting your gutters cleaned twice a year in the Spring and then again in the Fall. Remember keeping your gutters clean may help you save $1,000’s in the long run.
For reliable, professional gutter cleaning and repair services. Call/Text us at 508-257-1832 or book online at http://www.guttercowboy.com/.
