The fall and winter weather can be taxing on roofs and gutter systems. Each component on your roof needs to be functioning well to defend your home against the elements. If you do not keep routine care and maintenance schedule for your roof and gutters, you’ll likely end up regretting it later.
In this article, we are going to discuss how gutters play such an important role in the overall condition of your roof and home. Ignoring issues and disregarding necessary gutter cleanings will lead to costly issues. Small problems now can become huge issues later into the winter season.
It makes no difference to whether you have a new roof or a 15-year-old roof – all roofs need functioning gutters as to not endure damage.
Trees create lots of debris in the fall, including leaves, pine needles, pine cones, sticks, branches, and other natural waste. If your gutters do not have gutter guards or do not receive proper cleaning, the downspouts will backup.
When the water running down your roof reaches your gutters, but the gutters are clogged with debris, the water will pool. From there, the water will flow over the brim of the gutters. When this happens, water can back up onto your roof and penetrate beneath the shingles to the sublayers.
If the sublayers of the roof become saturated with water for long periods, it can cause damage to wood and supporting structures. If this happens, your roof will get leaks, holes, mold damage, and dry rot. Routine gutter cleaning will prevent this from happening.
When a gutter system is clogged with debris, not only does it affect its ability to function, it also creates a welcoming nest for pests and wood-destroying insects!
Critters will nest in warm and protected areas, so compacted tree debris looks like a nice warm/safe place for mice, rats, birds, bugs, and even raccoons to nest in. From there, pests may begin to find their way into your roof/attic from rotting or compromised areas on the roof. This is yet another important reason to keep up with routine gutter cleaning.
Be Proactive With Roof Care To Avoid a Leaking Roof!
When rainwater or melting precipitation doesn’t flow correctly down your gutter’s downspouts, the result is pooling water. Not only does pooing water back up onto your roof, but it also runs down the siding of your home. Downspouts direct water away from your home, and this is so pooling water doesn’t accumulate in the soil adjacent to your home’s foundation.
When water pools next to your home’s foundation, it can seep into cracks. When water seeps into cracks in your foundation, it has the opportunity to freeze during the colder months of fall and winter. This is bad news. Frozen water in your home’s foundation can cause small cracks to become big cracks and even costlier problems.
What started as a clogged gutter could cost you thousands of dollars in home foundation repair!
By keeping up with routine gutter cleaning, you’ll save yourself costly repairs, not to mention the stress and anxiety of dealing with issues that could have been prevented in the first place.
Whether you have new gutters, faux copper gutters, or older gutters, it’s advantageous to have them routinely cleaned and inspected.
To learn more about roofing services in Arlington, MA – please contact us today!
781-648-5446
