Home Problems Caused by Clogged Gutters and How to Fix Them

If you haven’t seen the inside of your gutters in the last five years, you could be doing serious damage to your home. In fact, a plethora of problems are caused by clogged gutters, which can eventually lower the value of your property or result in extremely expensive repairs. If you’ve noticed any of the following ten problems at your house, it might be a good idea to clean, repair or replace your clogged gutters.

1. Cracks in the Foundation
If you’ve ever had to repair a damaged foundation, then you know that this can be a costly home improvement project. Clogged gutters only add to the problem by helping water to pool around the foundation, which leads to weakened materials and potential penetration points.

2. Rotting Wood
Any wood fascia that exists around your house can start rotting due to clogged gutters. When the water starts to build up and stands stagnant for several days (or even just hours), the wood will start to break down and decompose, causing serious problems. Replacing all of the wood fascia around your home could cost thousands of dollars.

3. Leaky Roofs
When the ceiling of your living room starts to look pregnant, you know you have a problem. Clogged gutters can result in frozen water in the winter that stands for several days, blocking the flow of unfrozen water from the roof. This will eventually weaken the shingles and wood on the roof, causing leaks into your attic and home.

4. Frozen Sidewalks
If your clogged gutters don’t send water far enough away from high-traffic areas, such as sidewalks, the resultant pooling water can freeze during the winter. This poses a major safety hazard—not only for you, but also for anyone taking a mid-winter stroll around the neighborhood. Make sure gutters are clean and pointed away from sidewalks.

5. Sagging Driveways
Just as large roots can lift the concrete blocks of your driveway into the air, clogged gutters can result in pooling water that breaks down the concrete from the top. This might cause sagging driveways or even large cracks down the center, which doesn’t look nice and can cause problems for your cars.

6. Ruined Landscaping
Remember all that money you spend on your beautiful landscaping? All of that can be destroyed in a few weeks by clogged gutters. The water exits the gutters with sufficient force to dig holes in your flower beds and gardens, resulting in over-watered plants and unsightly dips in the topography of your yard.

7. Insects
Because most insects thrive on moisture and humidity, you should avoid clogged gutters, which can cause a pleasant home for insects around your foundation. This is especially true if your home is constructed of wood rather than brick, which is also attractive to bugs of all kinds.

How to Fix Them

The experts at RealEstateJournal.com recommend that you clean your gutters at least once every three months, and more frequently if leafy trees hang over your roof. If you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, most landscaping companies provide this service for a nominal fee. It is also a good idea to replace old, rusted or defective gutters, even though this can get expensive. Gutter guards and screens might likewise not be a bad investment.