Are Bad Gutters Slowly Destroying Your Home?

Homeowners neglect their gutters. They just seem to go unnoticed or worse yet, people purposely neglect them. Let’s face it, gutters can be downright dangerous to reach and are a hassle to clean. It’s understandable that inspecting and maintaining their gutters is not at the top of everyone’s to do list, but did you know those old, dirty gutterscould be destroying your home?

Leaks

Improperly maintained gutters can develop small holes or leaks. In the case of metal gutters, this leads to rust and deterioration. Over time, the entire gutter structure will start to give way and eventually collapse posing a danger to your home and family.

Roof Problems

Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris fail to drain water properly. If water and snow cannot drain, it pools on the roof. This additional weight not only puts strain on your roof leading to early aging, but also seeps beneath roof tiles leading to water damage to the wooden support structures and drywall inside your home. Furthermore, during winter months, backed up water trapped in clogged gutters freezes creating ice damming. Once temperatures begin to rise, the ice melts causing a rush of water that can leak into the interior of your roof causing rot and other damage.

Foundations Issues

Just as pooling water can cause roof problems, improperly draining water gathers against the side of the house damaging the foundation. As the water is slowly absorbed, it begins to leak into basement. A water filled basement leads to a whole other set of problems. Furthermore, a wet concrete foundation will contract and expand during the harsh freeze and thaw cycles of a Maryland winter. This constant upheaval leads to structural problems including cracks and settlement issues.

Pest Problems

Insects and other pests love moisture. Water leaking into your roof and siding from damaged gutters attracts all kinds of visitors. The moist wood provides sufficient food and a perfect nesting environment for unwelcome pests. Ants, cockroaches, and even termites will begin taking up residency inside your walls.

Landscape Issues

Any plants and vegetation below leaking gutters feel the detrimental effects of improper drainage as well. Oversaturation of water may kill plants located under a leak. A drip or two or three on your head while walking on a sidewalk below a gutter leak is the least of your problems. The sidewalk can also suffer sagging and cracks from the extra weight and become ice covered during winter months making them a safety hazard.

How Can You Prevent Gutter Problems?

First, inspect your gutters looking for leaks, clogs, holes, detached gutters, and any other signs of wear and tear. Next, consider replacing those damaged gutters with custom, seamless gutters from BRAX Roofing.

Unlike traditional gutters, seamless gutters are constructed from long single piece section eliminating the need for joints and reducing the chance of leaks. The removal of the seam creates a stronger gutter able to withstand greater weight from rain water and snow and higher wind speeds. Another major advantage of missing seams is eliminating the most common place for debris to snag and accumulate meaning seamless gutters are easier to clean and collect less debris overall.

To find out more about seamless gutters, contact BRAX Roofing today. As a GAF® Certified® roofing contractor, our employees receive the highest level of training available and are among the most knowledgeable in the field. We are committed to providing the highest quality home improvements at the most affordable cost. Offering everything from gutters, roofing, and siding to replacement windows, we are your total home solution. To schedule you free evaluation, consultation, and estimate give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you!