How to Tell If Gutters Are Clogged?
Do you know how to tell if your gutters are clogged? If not, the team at Ned Gutter Cleaning of Long Island can and will help. While most homeowners have a checklist of things to do in order to protect their home investment; such as landscaping, inspecting the foundation, searching for any leaks on the roof, etc — gutter cleaning rarely makes the list.
It may not seem that important, but clogged gutters can lead to a variety of costly repairs. Fortunately, keeping your gutters cleaned is relatively easy when you partner with the team at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island. Let's take a closer look at a few tell-tale signs of how to tell if your gutters are clogged.
Are Clogged Gutters Really A Big Deal?
The answer to that is an emphatic yes! Clogged gutters mean your home cannot get rid of excess water from rain and snow. This build-up over time can cause damage to the following areas:
- Foundation: As water overflows and accumulates around the base of the property, the shifting ground will weaken the foundation. This can lead to cracks in the basement walls, damage to the home’s structure, and the opportunity for mold to creep in and spread
- Landscape: Having rainwater flow at random can lead to overflowed gardens and damage to nearby structures like sheds. During the winter, unchecked water can lead to dangerously slippery patios and ice buildup on or around the home.
- Fascia Boards: Fascia boards are made of wood and are tasked to hold the gutter system in place. When water starts to overflow, it can cause the boards to get wet, deteriorate, and rot. If you have wood siding on your home, this can also be affected by the excess water.
How To Tell If Gutters Are Clogged
In order to stay on top of your gutters, it’s important to look for tell-tale signs of backed-up water. Below are some of the most common ways of identifying clogged gutters.
Notice Pests on the Roof
There is something about small enclosed spaces filled with water that draws in all kinds of birds, insects, and pests. If you are seeing an abundance of animals around the roof of your home, it could be that they found a cozy, damp area to call home. One of the easiest ways to prevent pests from invading your roof and block large debris out of your gutters is to install gutter protection that keeps the debris out.
Sagging Gutters
When debris, pine needles, shingle grit, and leaves build up over time, it gets heavy and it will cause your gutters to bend and sag. When this happens, gutters are unable to effectively use gravity to keep the water flowing into the downspout and away from the home. If this is left unattended for long periods of time, the sagging gutters can eventually pull away and break off the roof, exposing the fascia wood and cause you to have to replace large sections (or the entire) gutter system.
Excess Plant Growth
We are all for planting trees and promoting plant growth, but too much of it can be overwhelming to maintain. When dirt, debris, and seeds accumulate in your gutters, it can lead to gutter gardens by the downspouts! Sure, it may end up looking nice, but this is a clear sign that your gutters and downspouts need to be checked for clogging and addressed sooner rather than later.
Wet Patios
Water slides are meant for the yard, not the patio. When gutters are clogged, the extra water has only one place to go: off the sides of the house. If you notice the patio is consistently wet or large amounts of water keep falling off the side of the roof, there is a high probability that your gutters are clogged. This can be especially dangerous in the wintertime, where the overflowing water becomes ice dams, forming icicles along the side of your home, or falls on the ground and freezes.
Can't Remember the Last Time They Were Cleaned
At Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island, we understand that there is a lot going on in your life, which pushes gutter maintenance to the back of your to-do list. Instead of trying to keep track of when your gutters are due for a cleaning, we offer a comprehensive gutter cleaning service plan that can help ensure you never miss a cleaning.
Creating a gutter cleaning service plan is one of the most effective ways of staying on top of your gutters and making sure there are no warning signs of repair missed.
Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island
When it comes to protecting your home and keeping your gutters clean, the team at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island can help. We offer a comprehensive suite of gutter cleaning, gutter repair, and gutter installation solutions designed to protect your home investment.
Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island today to learn more.
