Your roof is a system, and clean, free-flowing gutters are an integral piece that makes the entire operation run smoothly. From the roof and landscaping to the foundation and driveway, clean gutters benefit nearly every part of your home and prevent costly long-term damage.
Here Are Five Costly Pitfalls You Can Avoid by Clearing Out Those Clogged and Dirty Gutters.
1 – Fascia Damage
Water adheres to the tug of gravity. So, when gutter drains clog, water rises up and over the sides, then flows down the side of your fascia, soffits, and siding. A smooth, shiny exterior may hide what’s going on behind the scenes, but eventually, you’ll notice exterior cracking, dry rot, and mold.
It’s worth noting that professional fascia repair comes in at around $6-$20/linear foot, depending on the material and home. However, for an average one-story home with 250 linear feet of fascia damage, replacement costs an average of $2,500 and can rise as high as $5,000.
2 – Flooding Basements
“Nightmare.” We can think of no other word to adequately describe basement flooding. Most basement floods can be attributed to faulty sump pumps and torrential rain, yet clogged gutters are a common and often overlooked culprit.
If water isn’t redirected away from your home via your gutters, it has nowhere to go but down—first behind your fascia and siding, then into the ground, then into your basement.
And this is where we tell you how much the average basement cleanup costs after flooding: It starts at $3,000 and rises to $10,000. The good news is you can keep your money and all of your basement treasures simply by cleaning your cutters!
3 – Sagging Gutters
Clogged gutters collect water which freezes when temperatures drop below freezing. Ice is problematic for a few reasons. First, ice is heavy; second, gutters are not intended to carry the burden.
So when water turns to ice, gutters sag beneath the burden. Not a great look. Worse, overrunning water typically flows onto neighboring driveways, freezes, then turns into a slip-and-fall hazard.
Sagging gutters and a bonus lawsuit? Not if you clean your gutters.
4 – Roof Damage
We’ve said it before: The roof is a system, and when one piece of the system breaks down, it impacts the integrity of the entire roof. Standing gutter water may come into contact with shingles butting against the gutter troughs, which causes slow deterioration.
Once those shingles are saturated with water, damage spreads to the roof deck, insulation, and so on. Without treatment, you may even notice interior damage to walls and ceilings.
5 – Landscaping Damage
Unless it’s redirected away from your home, overflowing gutter water pools around landscaping, washing away mulch, and damaging flowers, shrubs, and lawns. Not good, especially when landscaping costs clock in at $4-$12/square foot for basic service. You’ll increase your curb appeal and save landscaping simply by cleaning out your gutters.
If you need more incentive, consider a recent Zillow report suggesting homes with thoughtfully-curated landscaping can sell for 2.7 percent more than expected.
Want to Leave Gutter Cleaning to the Professionals?
Men In Kilts offers complete gutter and downspout cleaning. If you’d like to find out how much it would cost to have us professionally clean your gutters, we’d be happy to provide you with a free estimate when you call us at (888) 292-1176.
