12 November 2024

WHAT DAMAGE CAN BLOCKED GUTTERS CAUSE?

If you’ve experienced blocked gutters, you’re not alone. This problem is commonly combatted by various Australian residents. When faced with this issue, it’s important that it’s urgently attended to.

Gutters play a fundamental role in carrying rainwater away from your home. Which means that if it’s blocked with leaves and debris, it can cause a plethora of issues for your home. For example, it puts your home at risk of water damage causing many issues. From expensive repairs, to the anxiety of disrupted plumbing.

Unfortunately, homeowners often overlook the guttering system since it is a part of their homes that stays “out of sight, out of mind”. But we highly suggest that you do not ignore your gutters any longer and start cleaning them regularly as part of home maintenance. 

Featured in our guide is all the damages that a blocked gutter could cause. Which will help you understand the importance of taking care of your guttering systems.

See the below: 

What are The Consequences of Blocked Gutters?

When it comes to blocked gutter problems, there are several risks associated.

See some of these below:

Roof Damage

A common question homeowners may ask is “Can blocked gutters cause roof leaks or other damage?” The answer is almost always, yes.  

When you have blocked roof gutters, rainwater is bound to pool on your roof and eventually damage it. If you don’t clear the stagnant water soon, it could lead to various leaks and cracks. Which is important to avoid as repairing a leaking or damaged roof can be expensive! 

Furthermore, with rotting roofs, there is a high chance of mildew and mould growth. They can cause health issues, such as skin irritation, eye irritation, wheezing, cough, throat irritation and nasal stuffiness.    

Fire Hazards

Unlike roof damage, the possibility of this occurring is much lower. However, it’s a danger nonetheless and should be prevented. 

Branches, leaves, and debris build-up in the gutter could potentially become a fire hazard in dry and hot weather in Australia, especially in rural areas. This is because dry leaves and branches offer the perfect environment for igniting bushfire embers. 

The main reason bushfires can be so dangerous is that they escalate quickly. If the fire isn’t stopped immediately, it can even burn down your house. 

So, make sure that you keep your gutters free of debris, branches and leaves.

Damage To Landscape

Besides preventing water from flowing freely, a blocked gutter can splash out water in unwanted areas. When there is a blockage in the gutter, the water will spill over the side and onto your gardens and flower beds, ruining your lovely landscape. 

Too much water on your landscape can also wash away the mulch from around your plants, hindering their growth. 

Long story short, blocked gutters can mess up your landscape entirely. Restoring your landscape may also be quite expensive. Which is why, it’s best to ensure that the gutters don’t get blocked in the first place.  

Shifts In Walkways And Driveways

Another major damage caused by blocked gutters is when the water enters walkways and driveways, pooling these areas. This can cause cracks in those areas and put you at risk of slipping and falling. 

To combat this effectively, we strongly recommend installing a leaf guard in your guttering system to prevent cracks in the driveway. 

Damage To Fascia Boards

There is no denying that fascia boards play a crucial role in ensuring safety in Australian homes. Attached to the lower end of the roof, they prevent moisture from entering the interior and offer strong support to the roof. 

However, since they are made of wood, they are prone to damage and rot. If your gutters are blocked and overflowing with water, then the water will most likely come in contact with the fascia boards, causing them to rot. 

Note that repairing fascia boards is pretty expensive, so you would want to make sure that you are doing everything possible to prevent a blockage in the gutters.   

Foundation Damage

Since blocked gutters don’t allow the rainwater to be funnelled away from your home, it causes it to pool around the house. Besides seeping into your basement and lower floor, this water can easily make its way into the foundations of your home. If not fixed immediately, it can cause cracks or lead to possible expansions. 

Expansions and cracks affect the structural stability of your home and put it at risk of collapsing, which is something you must prevent at all costs. By setting up quality gutter guards, you can keep water from pooling on the roof and causing damage.     

Basement Flooding

Water pooling on the roof can easily make its way into your basement and lower floor, flooding them. Basement flooding is a serious concern and should be dealt with urgently as the water could come in contact with your electrical wiring and cause electric shocks. 

What’s more, it could even end up causing gas leaks, which are dangerous and pretty expensive to repair.

Ice Dams   

Although the weather in Australia is not as chilly compared to some of the countries in the northern hemisphere, it doesn’t mean winters are not difficult in some parts. 

During winters, if your gutters get blocked, ice dams can develop on the edges of your roof. Now, when these ice dams melt, it leads to the water pooling and seeping inside your house.

What Are Some Steps to Prevent These Issues? 

Now that we understand the damage caused by blocked gutters, you may be wondering “How can I prevent this?” 

Taking the time to practise basic maintenance can safeguard the gutter safety of your home. 

We’ve provided a simple step by step guide below: 

Please note that these maintenance steps vary based on your gutter system. For a tailored gutter maintenance guide or help removing the blockage, get in touch with a professional. 

Your Local Blocked Gutter Partner

We understand that blocked gutters can be unexpected, meaning it can occur at any time. To maintain the efficient flow of rainwater in your home, turn to us. At All Day Plumbing, we provide specialised blocked gutter cleaning, as well as gutter install and maintenance solutions. This will ensure that your home’s plumbing is as seamless as possible. 

Our processes are designed for your peace of mind. As our friendly team is committed to ensuring that you remain informed on what the process involves, and the right steps to take. 

Don’t allow a blocked gutter drain to plague your space. 

Contact us!