8 Dangers of Blocked Gutters

As your greatest investment, it only makes practical sense that you keep your home safe and in excellent condition. One way to ensure this is by installing a gutter system. With gutter guards installed on your roof, you can eliminate the hassle of dragging out a ladder and dredging mucky clumps of rotting leaves out of your gutters. 

You see, many homeowners sometimes forget about their home’s guttering system. When gutters are working as they are designed to do, it’s so easy to disregard or forget that they need to be maintained, too. You’d be surprised to know what issues clogged gutters can bring to your home. 

In this post, we’ll go over the dangers of blocked gutters and why it is important to look after them. 

Danger #1: Blocked gutters can lead to roof damage.

To have a fully functioning roof, you need an equally functioning gutter system. Take note that your roof is there for a reason: to protect you, your family, and your house from the weather and the elements. Without a gutter system diverting water away from your home, your roof can’t do its job. 

There is a high risk of rainwater pooling on your roof when the gutters are clogged. Since water cannot flow away, your roof is at risk of damage and rotting. Stagnant water can also lead to cracks and possible leaks. 

With rotting, leaks, and roof damage come the very costly repairs. There’s also the problem with mould and mildew growth. Mould and mildew can cause health problems like throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, cough, wheezing, eye irritation, and skin irritation in some cases. 

Danger #2: Clogged gutters increase the risk of basement flooding.

Do you see water pooling on your roof? Is there stagnant water in your gutters? They can very easily seep into your lower floor and basement, flooding those areas in your home. Basement flooding is something serious and should be resolved as soon as possible. 

Water seeping in your basement is a safety risk as it may reach your wiring and result in electrical shocks. It may also lead to gas leaks, which is one of the most severe and expensive problems to resolve. When you install a leaf filter, you can improve the water flow through your gutters, saving your home from the risk of basement flooding. 

Danger #3: Blocked gutters can lead to foundation damage. 

Blocked gutters prevent the guttering system from leading rainwater away from your home, and instead leads the water to pool around your home. Water pooling on your roof doesn’t just seep into your lower floor and basement. It also seeps into your house’s foundation. 

If not resolved in time, water can seep below the ground and into your foundation, causing expansions and possible cracks. These cracks in the foundation affect the structural integrity of your house. By installing gutter guards, you can prevent blockage in the gutter, thereby preventing water from pooling on your roof. 

Danger #4: Fascia boards can get damaged if gutters are clogged.

Fascia boards are crucial to the safety of every Australian home. They are located in the exterior of your home’s structure, protecting the roofing cavity and interior of your home. However, these boards are susceptible to damage and rot as they are most often made of wood. 

If your gutter system is filled with water, this water is likely to reach the fascia boards and siding of your home, causing them to rot and deteriorate. This can be very expensive to repair, which is why you should go with installing a leaf guard. 

Danger #5: Clogged gutters can also lead to shifts in driveways and walkways.

Another frequent issue caused by clogged gutters is the water seeping and pooling on driveways and sidewalks. Similar to problems with basements and foundations, this water can also lead to cracks in driveways. The concrete and asphalt on your driveways can shift and be a safety hazard to you and your family members as you can easily slip and fall on them. 

This is why installing leaf guards is a smart move. You can prevent this from happening, and you can also avoid dealing with some repair work. 

Danger #6: Blocked gutters can ruin your landscape.

When your gutters are clogged, they not only block water from running freely away from your home but also splash out water in areas where it shouldn’t. With torrents of water spilling over the side of your gutter and into your landscape, your flower beds, garden, or landscape can get ruined. 

Excess water can also wash away your mulch, which kills your plants. As a result, you have to deal with the mess on your landscape. Restoring your curb appeal may also be costly, so might as well prevent blocked gutters from ruining your landscape entirely. 

Danger #7: Clogs can be fire hazards. 

This is one of the least expected dangers of blocked gutters. Although it does not occur that often, it is still possible and should be prevented at all costs. Leaves, branches, and any accumulated debris in your gutters become a fire hazard during hot and dry weather. 

If the water from your gutters seep into your basement and reaches your electrical wiring, this sparks electrical shocks which can then lead to a fire. As a safety measure, be sure to free your gutters from any debris. 

Danger #8: Clogged gutters increase the formation of ice dams.

Compared to other countries, the weather patterns in the Land Down Under can be very temperate. However, this doesn’t mean the chilly weather can’t get brutal. During the colder parts of the year, ice dams can form on the lower edges of your roof if your gutters are blocked. 

When they melt, they can also cause water to pool around and seep into your home. Prevent the formation of ice dams by installing leaf guards. Come winter, you won’t have to worry about water leaking into your home. 

Avoid Clogged Gutters with Gutter Guards from Gutter Protector Australia 

Gutter Protector Australia is here to help you protect your gutters with our mesh foam gutter guards, Gutter Protector. What sets our product apart from other guards in the market is that it is easier to remove and install for easy access to your gutters. This is because our guards don’t have to be permanently fixed down your roof. 

With our Gutter Protector, you can eliminate any chance of clogging in your gutters. Contact us here at Gutter Protector Australia for more information.