Cleaning eavestroughs can undoubtedly be quite an unpleasant task. However, this is something that needs to be done. A lot of us tend to avoid it due to the hassles involved or because we don’t realize how important it is to unclog your eavestroughs. There are many clogged eavestrough dangers that you must be aware of.
Once you realize how dangerously clogged eavestroughs can be, you will not make the mistake of ignoring cleaning your eavestroughs.
Importance of cleaning clogged eavestroughs
Eavestroughs play a crucial role in the well-being of your house. They ensure that the flow of rainwater is controlled so that your roof, foundation, walls, and the overall landscape is not damaged.
Clogged eavestrough can be a nightmare. Various things can lead to clogging of the eavestrough, including leaves, sticks, and similar other debris. The consequences of this can be disastrous.
Therefore, it is pivotal to make sure that your eavestroughs are cleaned out regularly. How often the eavestrough needs to be cleaned depends on the area where you live. The number of trees present in your yard plays a role in this as well. It is advisable to clean the eavestrough during fall when nearly all the leaves have fallen.
Clogged eavestrough dangers that you need to be worried about
Let us shed some light on the effects of clogged eavestroughs.
Damage to roof
When the eavestrough is clogged, it cannot drain the rainwater. Shingles encountering water deteriorate faster compared to the rest of the roof. If this is not dealt with, the shingles continue absorbing water. Finally, they become saturated, causing the roof deck to be damaged.
As the roof becomes saturated, water will seep into your house. The insulation is then soaked through, and your ceiling is damaged. Cleaning your eavestroughs regularly will eliminate this issue.
Impact on foundation
Eavestroughs make sure that water does not collect in your home. A clogged eavestrough cannot perform its function and as the eavestrough overflows, the excess water drips to the foundation of your house. The soil under the foundation can shift and crack from the water.
There is a possibility of the water getting into these cracks and freezing, leading to cracks in the foundation. The whole foundation of your house becomes shaky because of this. Indeed, structural failures can also result.
Effect on landscape
Consider the possibility that your area is hit with a heavy rainstorm when your eavestroughs are clogged. This would severely destroy your landscaping as the rainwater would not have any place to go, and the eavestrough will overflow, the water will make its way into your landscape.
The mulch, soil, and sand all can be washed away from the water, and your shrubs, trees and flowers can even be destroyed. All your effort and hard work into the landscaping will go down the drain because of the clogged eavestroughs.
The flooding of the basement
As the eavestrough water will not have any other place to go when it is clogged, your basement is where it will collect the water. The longer the eavestroughs remain clogged, the more time water will have to collect around the foundation of your house. The water will eventually overflow, running down the side of your house and leaking into the basement walls.
The unpleasant smell will prevail in the area, and it will also enhance the growth of mold. Flooding will eventually result, and your house can be severely damaged if your basement is not waterproofed.
The hub of pests and insects
Pests and insects will have a field day when they find a dirty eavestrough, filled with debris and standing water. Not only that, mice and birds will also find your home the ideal place to be.
Gradually, with the change in weather, the pests will find their way into your home through the cracks in the walls. They would not be inclined to leave the area as they have everything they need there. This will expose your family to quite a lot of diseases and health conditions. You will also have to bear the cost of availing the services of exterminators multiple times.
Buildup of ice
If water remains in the eavestrough for a long time, it freezes. The eavestrough becomes heavy due to the increased weight of the ice and starts pulling away from the house. As a result, cracks are created then snow and water can then seep into your house.
The soffits and fascia are also damaged due to this excess weight, causing your eavestroughs to sag and loose from your house. If this is not repaired, there is a chance that the eavestrough will fall off of your home in places.
Final words
It is clear that clogged eavestrough dangers are something you want to avoid. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that your eavestroughs are always working correctly and can perform their function of draining water away from your house. A lot of people are unaware of how they can adequately clean the eavestroughs. If this is the case, you can always seek the assistance of a professional. This will make sure that the eavestroughs are thoroughly cleaned, and you do not have to worry when the rain comes. Timely intervention can save you from a lot of trouble.
