7 Problems Caused by Unclean Gutters

The gutter system is designed to direct rainwater through the downspout to a destination away from the walls and foundation of your building. Gutters are a critical component of the roof drainage system – receiving rainwater from the inclined roof and channeling it in a single flow into storage tanks or other designated areas away from the building’s foundation.

The idea is to prevent rainwater from washing through your home’s walls and pooling around the building’s foundation. While cleaning your gutters before the rains is not a fun family activity to look forward to, it is absolutely necessary if you are serious about protecting your home from water damage. The roofing experts at Prime Roofing in Jacksonville, FL share some of the common problems caused by clogged gutters to motivate you to dig out mud and debris from the gutters before the rains.

Potential Problems That Can Arise From Unkept Gutters

Florida receives significantly more rainfall than other states, so it’s vital that you take extensive measures to safeguard your Florida residence.

1. You’ll end up with broken gutters on a rainy day

We’ve discussed the critical drainage role gutters play, and it is clear that you wouldn’t want to end up with broken gutters while it rains. Unclean gutters block rainwater from channeling through. This means that the water will be forced to puddle in the gutters, exerting extra weight on the frail structures designed to allow water to pass through only.

The extra weight resulting from water collecting in the gutters will weigh down the gutters and you’ll end up with water washing over the walls to settle at the building’s foundation.

2. Wall damage

Blocked gutters force water to pour over the walls of your building, subsequently causing many pricey damages. For starters, water causes your exterior wall painting to blister and peel, turning your once adorably painted walls dull and tired. Owing to the porous nature of the walls, the water will soon find its way to the interior walls causing the same dame to your interior painting.

Water seeping through the walls can also damage the wall’s insulations, electrical wires, and equipment, destroy framing materials, and corrode all metal objects in and against the wall. Water damage can cause devastating electrical hazards that can burn down the entire building if not detected and put off on time.

3. Damage to the home’s foundation

Without a stable foundation, the entire building structure is at the risk of sinking into the ground unevenly or cracking and damaging by shocks. A good foundation should provide reliable lateral stability to the building, among several other key functions.

Without a proper gutter system, rainwater from the roof washes through your home’s walls to pool at the building’s foundation, posing an even greater risk of structural damage if left unattended.

Even the most stable foundation cannot resist persistent hydrostatic pressure resulting from static water collecting around the foundation area forever. Never underestimate what stagnant water can do to a building’s foundation.

Hydrostatic pressure refers to persistent pressure exerted by static fluid as a result of the force of gravity. During the rainy season, static water exerts downward pressure on the foundation which reverses when the rain ends. This back and forth shift of the foundation sets your building up for a serious structural failure.

4. Roof leaks

Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks if the problem is not remedied soon enough. Gutters are responsible for facilitating the flow of rainwater from the roof and away from the walls and foundation. When water collects in the gutters, the edges of your roof will remain in contact with the water for long, which could result in roof damage.

When your roof is damaged, water will leak in and drip from the ceiling causing a bigger menace than you would have anticipated. Your roof will continue leaking until you get rid of the static water in the gutters and repair any damages caused.

5. Mildew forming on your roof and attic

Too much moisture in the air is the perfect condition for mildew growth. When your shingles are moist almost all the time, mildew is likely to develop and wreak havoc on your roof including the building’s attic. Getting rid of widespread mildew on the roof, walls, and attic is way more expensive than cleaning your gutters and ensuring drainage is smooth.

6. Destroys the landscaping around your building’s foundation

Water collecting on your lawn will certainly destroy your beautiful landscaping forcing you to pay for a makeover. Your plants will be washed away or killed by stagnant water messing with your home’s exterior appeal big time.

7. Shorten your roof’s lifespan

A good roof should last you between 15 and 30 years when properly maintained. A good balance of rain and sunshine is good for your roof. However, when your roof is moist 24/7 because your gutters retain water is bad for its longevity.

Don’t be forced to pay hefty repair costs for negligence. Always clean your gutter system to ensure rainwater is properly drained away from the building’s structures.

About Prime Roofing

We hope this information about gutters has provided useful insights to keep in mind for your next home upgrade.

For quality and dependable roofing services performed by true experts in the field – call Prime Roofing at (904) 530-1446. Our Jacksonville based roofing company has served the Northeast Florida region for over a decade. No matter what questions you may have, we’ll be happy to assist.