The Importance of
Clean Gutters
April Showers bring more than just May flowers...
Did anyone else get caught in some spring hail today? April Showers are certainly here and we’re excited to see the May flowers all the recent rain fall will bring, but heavy spring rain events can create unexpected problems for homeowners if we don't keep up on proper maintenance. We're talking about our gutter system and why it’s important to keep it clean and clear throughout all the seasons.
Where does all that rain go?
Our roofs are the first line of defense in protecting our homes from the potential water damage caused by rain. The roof acts as a collection system, and given that roofs have a footprint even larger than that of the home, they can quickly collect a lot of water during rain showers. For example, if we receive just one inch of rainfall, the average house collects over 432,000 cubic inches or 250 cubic feet of water. And that number increases as the square footage of your home increases.
All that water quickly collects as it runs down the slope of the roof and into the gutter system. A well designed and properly maintained gutter system will funnel it safely and efficiently away from the home and into the ground or a drain. From here, that rain water continues on through the water cycle by seeping into the ground or making its way into the local creeks and rivers.
What happens though if one or more components of your gutter system are clogged? Well, all that moving water still needs a place to go after falling onto our roofs. If it’s unable to funnel into the gutters and downspouts, that's when it starts to create unwanted water damage to our homes.
Clogged gutters can force the water to drip over the side which can cause erosion and damage to whatever is below. We have seen garden beds and patios with distinguishable lines of damage directly below the gutters where the dripping water has pounded away at the substrate below to the point of erosion. Depending on the design of your home, this damage can be cosmetic decay of gardens and concrete patios or structural erosion of the foundation.
Another common problem of overly full gutters is pooling along your roof. When the gutters are tilted slightly towards the roof, and the slope of the roof angled towards the gutters, you end up with a slight concave bowl that perfectly traps the water and you may not even know it. Over time, the constant exposure to this pool of water can lead to rot, mold, and weakening of important roof components. All of which lead to much more costly damage and repairs down the road.
Importance of Spring Gutter Cleaning
All of these damages are 100% preventable with routine gutter cleaning and inspection. Most homes require gutter cleaning in the fall when we are inundated with leaves dropping from nearby trees, but many homes can also benefit from additional cleaning in the spring as well. Winter storms can break away and drop tree matter, branches, and needles that can build up or get lodged in your gutter system. Constant exposure to wetness and the warming spring temperatures can lead to algae build up which will also slow down the flow of water through your gutter system.
Prevention is key with gutter care and maintenance. If you notice any dripping, full or clogged gutters on your home, consider professional gutter cleaning services to clear up your whole system!
