What Damage Can Blocked Gutters Cause?
Although blocked gutters are a common problem faced by Australian residents, it’s not something that is to be taken lightly.
The reason is that gutters play a crucial role in carrying rainwater away from your house. If they are blocked with leaves and debris, it can put your home at risk of water damage and other disasters, leading to expensive repairs and sleepless nights.
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.
In this article, we have discussed all the damages that a blocked gutter could potentially cause to help you understand the importance of taking care of your guttering systems. Without further ado, let’s begin!
What Are The Damages That Blocked Gutters Can Cause?
These are some of the risks associated with blocked gutters:
1. Roof Damage
When your gutters are blocked, 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 possible leaks and cracks, and repairing a leaking or damaged roof can prove 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.
2. Fire Hazards
This one doesn’t happen too often, but it is a possible danger nonetheless and should be prevented.
Branches, leaves, and debris buildup 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.
3. 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, and it’s best to ensure that the gutters don’t get blocked in the first place.
4. 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. We strongly recommend installing a leaf guard in your guttering system to prevent cracks in the driveway.
5. 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.
6. Foundation Damage
Since blocked gutters don’t allow the rainwater to be funneled 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
Final Thoughts
With that, we have come to the end of our informative guide, and we hope it has helped you gain some insights into the damages that blocked gutters cause. But before we leave, we’d like to let you in on some valuable advice.
Firstly, install a leaf protection system to prevent leaves, twigs and other unwanted items from entering your gutter. If possible, trim the tall hedges and trees away from the edge of your roof.
You must also routinely check and clean your gutter to ensure that they are not blocked. And don’t hesitate to contact your local plumbing company if you find it difficult to remove the blockage or need help installing a leaf guard.
On that note, it’s time for us to sign off. Until next time, take care!