Did Know That Clogged Gutters Can Cause Roof Leaks?

Your gutters are meant to transport water away from your roof. When a gutter becomes clogged they can no longer do their intended job. Rainwater will then begin to pool in one area of the roof and have more of an opportunity to start seeping through cracks.

What Causes Gutters To Clog?

Gutters becoming clogged is a process that happens over a period of time. Wind, trees and any other thing that mother nature throws your way can deposit debris on your roof and gutters. Most debris will get transported through the gutter and carried through the downspout, but unfortunately not all of it will make it out. Homeowners with tall trees near their house will accumulate more debris than the rainwater can carry. Another reason that could prevent debris from washing through and out your gutters is that the the gutter may be coming loose or is installed at the wrong angle.

Why Do Backed Up Gutters Cause Roof Leaks?

Gutters are a water and moisture protection system for the fascia, siding, and foundation of your house. They collect rain runoff and carry it away from your house. However the system can become clogged and instead of carrying all that water away from house it will simply hold on to it and keep it right up against the edge of the roof. As your gutters start to overflow in a storm a small portion of the rain water can move upwards under the shingles and start pressing moisture into the plywood eventually causing it to rot.

In the event of a winter storm a gutter that has been accumulating water starts to freeze, that water will start to expand. It can fill the gutter and create what is called an “ice dam” which prevents rain and snow from tumbling away from the house or through the downspout. This is another situation where water has nowhere to go but up onto the roof, under the shingles, and over time, into the attic and the rest of the house.

How Do I Keep My Gutter From Clogging?

Have your gutters professionally cleaned and flushed out twice a year. This will ensure that your gutters are always working properly and will help preserve your home. Upstate Window and Gutter Cleaning will be happy to give you a free quote over the phone or online.

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE or Call Us at 1-888-556-8114

If you would like to signup to receive monthly home improvement and maintenance tips click here to enter your email address.