You haven’t been cleaning the gutters regularly? They aren’t functioning properly anymore? Don’t worry since it is a problem that can be easily fixed. And no, unfortunately cleaning them now won’t solve the entire problem. In fact, if your gutters are loose and detached from the home’s structure, you might even end up getting hurt. Before you schedule a gutter cleaning appointment though, it is good to know how excess water from clogged gutters can do damage to your home.
How do gutters get clogged in the first place? With time, leaves and other debris build up inside and form strong structures. Sometimes, birds and pests even build nests in your gutters and in winter when water freezes, massive icy clogs pose as accessories. To avoid these clogs, homeowners should do clean ups after every severe storm. It may be a tricky thing to do in winter, but that’s what the experts are here for. Besides after storms and difficult weather, gutters should be cleaned twice a year: in autumn and in spring. So, what problems can clogged gutters cause?
Here are the damages clogged gutters can cause:
Attic
Unfortunately, the strong structures created by debris build-up cannot be overcome by the strength of water. If water’s pathways are blocked, it will start to accumulate and spill either on the roof or in your yard, usually in both places. Roofs are strong, but they have lifespans and are vulnerable to damage as well. As water builds up more, the roof will crack under pressure and voila – broken shingles, ceiling leaks, loose attic joints and mold growth – all resulting in expensive roof replacements and attic renovations.
Basement Floods
Sometimes when water spills from the gutters, it ends up on the exterior walls. We all know that gravity draws things closer to the ground and so is the case with water. As it starts spilling, gravity draws it as furtherly downwards as possible – right in your basements. If you have basement leaks, check your gutters first! The water may be coming through the window, a wall crack or a ceiling – really any weak spot that it can find.
Structural Damage
The worst-case scenario is when excess water creates cracks and invites mold in the structural walls. This isn’t such a rare occasion since water loves traveling and, on its way, down to the basement, it will surely pass through every weak corner and spot, including the fascia boards. Another worst-case scenario is excess water accumulating on the ground, near your basement and putting immense pressure on your structural, foundation walls.
Cracked Windows
The best windows are made from the materials with Energy Stars and high-efficiency ratings. But if their frames are wooden, and if your gutters are clogged, brace yourselves since you’ll probably need window replacement. Wood is extremely vulnerable to water and that is why it easily rots, cracks and deteriorates. And even if your frames are vinyl or composite, they still can be negatively influenced by excess water.
Detached Gutters
An extremely uncomfortable situation is when gutters detach from exterior walls and start spilling water all over the place. This usually happens for poor quality gutters or those who haven’t been cleaned in a long, long time. Remember that excess rainwater should be disposed of in certain areas, it isn’t meant to be traveling all around the home – this is why gutters are for. If they are detached, don’t be shy and immediately call the experts to fix the occurring problem and find a proper solution.
About C.A.P.O.R. Renovations
C.A.P.O.R. Renovations is your one-stop solution for Windows and Doors Replacement, Roofing Repairs, Vinyl Siding and Exterior Home Renovation in London.
What Is The Difference Between A Gutter And An Eavestrough?
The terms “gutter” and “eavestrough” are often used interchangeably by lots of individuals. This is because they assume that the two terms mean the same thing. Although their functions are quite similar, an eavestrough is not the same as a gutter.
If you are one of those confused about these two terms, you should note that you are not alone as lots of individuals are like you. Given this, this post will shed light on the difference between them.
Definition
If you break down the word “eavestrough”, you will have eaves + trough. So, this term refers to a trough located under a building’s eaves and used for draining water coming from the roof. Basically, this system is installed on the outer edge of a building so that it can collect rainwater.
A gutter, on the other hand, is usually used more generically. It can refer to a channel installed on a surface to drain water. In many cases, the gutter will be located on the side of the road where it can collect rainwater and send it to the other parts of the drainage system.
Location
Location is another major factor that can affect what a gutter or an eavestrough means. In Canada, eavestrough is the most common term used for describing a system installed for collecting water from the roof. However, in the US and several other countries, the system is known as a gutter. In these countries, the term “gutter” can also be used for a water channel on the street.
Size of the water collection system
Another difference between a gutter and an eavestrough comes from the size of the system. When a large system is designed for collecting lots of water from various buildings and houses and sending it away, it is called a gutter. So, a smaller system for a single building refers to an eavestrough.
However, it is important to note that this specific difference is gradually becoming unnoticeable. In other words, the term “gutter” or “eavestrough” is sometimes used for both large and small rainwater collection systems.
Installation process
Guttering and eavestroughing are the terms used for describing the installations of gutters and eavestroughs respectively. However, the difference is not only in the names. The processes involved in the installations are also different.
Different types
You can also differentiate between eavestroughs and gutters by considering their types. The major types of eavestroughs are:
- Eavestroughs on one or two slopes
- English-style eavestrough
On the other hand, gutters have the following types:
- Creeping gutter
- Hanging gutter
Each of these types has its pros and cons. Besides, they have different looks.
Despite the difference between gutters and eavestroughs, they can be used to complement each other. That is, you can install both systems to protect your property. This is especially true in areas with high precipitation or lots of mountains.
In a nutshell, you should now be able to tell the difference between a gutter and an eavestrough.
What Is The Purpose Of A Gutter On A House?
A gutter is a system installed around a house to collect water and send it into a connected drainage system. Otherwise referred to as an eavestrough in some countries, a gutter plays several essential roles that keep a house in a good shape.
Below, we will take a closer look at the major purposes of a gutter:
- It prevents soil erosion
When water falls directly on the foundation around your home, the topmost soil will be eroded. If this continues for a long period, the important minerals in the soil will be lost. Hence, you can no longer use the soil for gardening and other related functions. But with a gutter, you don’t have to worry about soil erosion as the system will protect the soil around your home.
- It protects the siding
Although high-quality siding material can withstand lots of water, it will still succumb to water damage over time. Therefore, you need to protect your siding by installing a gutter that will ensure that water doesn’t accumulate on it. As a consequence, a gutter can help you to save money that would have been wasted on the repair or replacement of your siding.
- It helps to prevent a flooded basement
When water builds up around the foundation of your home, it will start seeping into the basement. Even though you may not notice the effect at the beginning, it will soon lead to a flooded basement. If left untreated, a flooded basement will encourage the growth of mould and mildew. Also, it can destroy any equipment stored in the basement.
So, if you want to prevent these issues, you need to keep your basement dry. This can be done by installing an eavestrough that will send water away from the foundation of your home. Consequently, you don’t have to worry about water seeping into your basement.
- It prevents insects from breeding inside your home
Lots of insects like breeding in places with lots of moisture. Unfortunately, if you don’t have an eavestrough, moisture can build up in the roof and around the foundation of your home. When this happens, airborne pests such as flies, gnats, and mosquitoes will start breeding around your property. As time goes on, your home may encounter insect infestations.
Nonetheless, you can prevent this from happening by just installing a gutter. This system will direct water away from the foundation or siding of your building. Hence, your environment will not be conducive for insects to breed.
- It accentuates the look of your home
Apart from protecting your property from a wide range of problems, an eavestrough can also come in handy to beautify your house. Basically, eavestroughs are available in varying styles, shapes, and colours. Therefore, you can select a gutter that fits the specific design of the exterior of your building. As a consequence of this, you can use a gutter to accentuate the look of your house.
Considering the purpose of a gutter, you will agree that every house must have it.
Why Gutter Maintenance Is Important?
Since gutters are usually out of our sight, lots of individuals don’t usually consider gutter maintenance to be important. However, without proper and regular gutter maintenance, you are exposing your home to water damage that could wreak lots of issues. Therefore, every homeowner must not overlook the need for regular gutter maintenance. If you are still unconvinced about why you should invest your time and money in gutter maintenance, here are some reasons to consider:
1.To ensure proper rain flow
As a homeowner, you must note that rain must flow properly from the roof away from your home. Any disruption in the flow of rain can cause a big problem for you, your home, and your belongings. But if you don’t maintain your gutters, they will be blocked by debris and other elements, thus, affecting the flow of rainwater.
2.To increase the lifespan of the gutter
When you don’t maintain an eavestrough, it will be filled with lots of dirt and other things that can damage it. In many cases, the brackets and fascia will be damaged by the dirt. As a consequence, you may need to install a new gutter which will cost you significantly more than gutter maintenance. Therefore, you should rather choose to increase the lifespan of your gutter by maintaining it regularly. This will also save you lots of money in the long run.
3.To keep away unwanted guests
A clogged gutter is the perfect breeding spot for several animals such as mosquitoes, rats, squirrels, and birds. If these animals are left in the gutters for a long period, they can infest the interior part of your home. A pest infestation can be quite challenging, and you may require the help of an exterminator to deal with it. So, if you want to keep all these unwanted guests away from your home, you need to maintain your gutter.
3.To prevent water damage
Another reason for gutter maintenance is to prevent water damage. If an eavestrough is dirty and clogged, it can become saggy and, consequently, collapse. When this happens, water will leak into the roof, foundation, and other parts of your home. Therefore, it is not surprising that an unmaintained gutter can cause structural damage, electrical damage, and basement flooding. You can prevent this from happening by just maintaining your gutter regularly.