Clogged Gutters

If your home suffers from clogged gutters, water damage can begin to cause more problems than you may realize. More than 600 gallons of water can travel through the gutter system of a 1,000 sq. ft. roof after an inch of rainfall. Blocked gutters can lead to significant issues to your home—compromising your home’s foundation, fascia, and siding.

What Causes Gutters to Get Clogged?

Many times, downspouts or gutters clog due to leaves, ice, and other organic debris over time. When it storms, normal flow is obstructed through the gutters and out the downspouts, causing water overflow.

Of course, Mother Nature is not always responsible for blocked gutters. Aged or poorly installed gutters may not efficiently flow water away from the home, or trap debris at entry or exit points. In some cases, mold can begin to grow, which is a serious health hazard.

Can Clogged Gutters Cause Basement Flooding?

One of the essential functions of a gutter system is to channel water from the roof and way from the house’s foundation. Blocked gutters can result in water spilling over the sides of the gutter, down the side of the home and pooling at the home’s foundation. After a time, the water can begin to crack and damage the foundation, potentially resulting in collapse.

Cleaning Clogged Gutters

While a professional is always best to resolve blocked gutters, you can start by tapping to check your gutter downspouts, from the top down.

If your gutter is clogged, most of the time you will need to hand-remove clogging in the cage, a wire mesh material between the gutter and downspout. Cage is damaged? You will need to replace it with a new downspout cage. Clogging at the gutter elbows? Try to free the obstruction with a plumbing snake.

Preventing Clogged Gutters

To ensure that your gutters do not clog, you have two choices. Either invest in clog-free gutters or be sure to clean your gutters several times a year.

One of the most popular solutions is gutter guards or gutter covers, which block certain debris from entering the gutter downspout. Of course, a gutter cleaning service will know when to clean gutters and be able to prevent your gutters from clogging in the first place. To learn more about our gutter cleaning services, contact us today.