What Happens If You Don't Clean Your Gutters in Palm Harbor?

Sharing is caring!

Regular, professional gutter cleaning in Palm Harbor, Florida, is a vital investment for every homeowner. Unfortunately, too many homeowners put off this job or avoid it altogether! Some might not like dealing with the mess and hassle. On the other hand, some homeowners might not understand why regular gutter clearing and cleaning is so vital!

While cleaning gutters is probably no one’s idea of a fun afternoon, avoiding this project can mean costly consequences. Check out what is meant by that, so your home is always in good condition. Above all, ensure you call a pro for this project, to keep yourself safely on the ground.

What Happens If You Don't Clean Your Gutters

If you don't clean your gutters, the water will overflow and damage your roof, foundation, and landscaping. Pooling water can also lead to algae, mold and mildew growth, which can be harmful to your health and the structure of your roof and house.

If you live in an area with a lot of trees, you should clean your gutters more often to prevent clogs. Leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters and cause the water to overflow.

Tropical storms can also cause gutters to overflow. If you live in an area that is prone to these kinds of storms, you should be especially diligent about gutter cleaning.

Do Gutters Really Need to Be Cleaned?

The short answer is yes, gutters need regular cleaning! To understand why, note why homes have gutters in the first place. This information can help you better appreciate the need for regular gutter cleaning in Palm Harbor especially.

Direct water away from your house

Gutters catch rainwater, dew, and other moisture falling off the roof. Then, the gutters direct that water to attached downspouts. Lastly, the downspouts direct water away from the home, toward a drain or the street.

Without gutters, rain and other moisture would simply roll off the roof and down exterior walls. Next, it would pool around the soil surrounding the home’s foundation. This risks costly damage to exterior walls, windows frames, foundation concrete, and other building materials. Pooling rainwater also means spongy, unhealthy soil!

Clogged gutters and downspouts are ineffective at catching and redirecting moisture rolling off the roof. Instead, that water is likely to simply wash over gutter sides and run down a home’s exterior walls. In short, when gutters are clogged, you might as well have no gutters at all!

Prevent mold, mildew, and algae growth

Additionally, clogged gutters risk standing water which often means mold, mildew, and algae growth along the roof. Also, roof materials absorb that water, leading to damaged shingles, tiles, decking, and other materials. Water also attracts bothersome, damaging insects! For all these reasons and more, it’s vital that you ensure clean gutters on your home.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

There is no “one size fits all” answer about gutter cleaning frequency. Many homeowners find that annual gutter cleanouts offer sufficient cleaning. However, there are some reasons why Florida homeowners might need to tackle this project more frequently!

One reason to check gutters for cleaning more than annually is that airborne sand and silt risk clogs. Two, storm debris also tends to pile up in gutters and along downspouts. In turn, you might need to check those gutters frequently and especially after storms move through the area.

Also, note that trees tend to drop debris onto nearby roofs, with that debris eventually ending up in gutters. If you have mature trees on your property, check for leaves and twigs and other debris often. Above all, be ready to clean those gutters when needed to keep them clear and clog-free.

How Do You Tell If Your Gutters Are Clogged?

A thorough inspection by a pro is the best choice for ensuring clean, clear gutters. Additionally, a homeowner might notice any of these issues, even from the ground:

• Standing water encourages mold, mildew, and algae, as said. If you notice these developing around a home’s roof, have the gutters inspected for needed cleaning.
• Insects lingering around a home’s gutters might indicate clogs and debris buildup.
• When water washes over clogged gutters, it tends to create dirty streaks along their underside. These streaks, or “tiger stripes,” can indicate clogged or even undersized gutters.
• Additionally, that water tends to leave streaks or dirt along outside walls and windows. Also, water washing down those walls can mean chipped brick or rusted siding.
• Foundation repair contractors often check for clogged gutters when inspecting a property! This step demonstrates the importance of keeping gutters clean, to protect against foundation damage. Consequently, if your foundation needs patching or other fixes, check the gutters and their condition.
• Spongy or soft soil around a home often indicates clogged gutters and rainwater washing over their sides. Address this issue immediately before your home’s foundation absorbs that moisture!

Lastly, take note of water running down the side of your home during a storm or rainy weather. This often indicates clogs or the need for larger gutters, to manage that water effectively!

ProClean Pressure Washing Palm Harbor is proud to provide you with this information about gutter cleaning in Palm Harbor. Hopefully, it helps you see the importance of clean, clear gutters! For expert services on your property, call our Palm Harbor gutter cleaning contractors. We offer FREE quotes and guaranteed satisfaction with every project. For more information, contact us today.