The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Guttering
When was the last time you watched a YouTube video on gutter cleaning? The answer might be ‘never’, which isn’t surprising - you may prefer to do other things.
However, keeping your guttering clean and free of debris is one of the most important things you can do for your home. It directs rain water away from it and helps prevent water damage to the roof and fascias, which can be super expensive to fix.
Still, blocked gutters are even more hazardous than many people think. Here are some dangers that you may not be aware of.
It could damage the foundations
While roofs and fascias would be the first stop for water diverted from a clogged gutter, it doesn’t stop there.
Like our geography teacher told us at school, water always tries to find a way downwards, which means it seeps through cracks in the wall until it finds a low point. The foundations tend to be the final destination, and water can pool there, causing structural damage to the house — and nobody wants that.
It could cause cracks in the driveway
Clogged waterways don’t just divert water into your property — they also cause it to spill over onto surrounding driveways and paths.
Similar to with foundations, water seeping into these surfaces causes them to expand and crack, leaving you with a hefty repair bill. While more noticeable than foundation damage, it’s also a more immediate safety hazard: you or your family members could trip and fall over them if you’re not careful.
Also, if you’re a keen gardener then watch it doesn’t flood flower beds that are close to the house.
It’s vulnerable to insect infestation
While blocked guttering is bad news for your property, it’s great news for insects. The damp conditions are a perfect breeding ground for them and the debris offers great protection for a wasp or termite nest.
The trouble is that we often don’t notice this until it’s too late — normally in the summer when the pleasant weather brings them out to play. Pest experts are often brilliant at their job, but they tend to charge a pretty penny for it, especially if the critters have burrowed their way into the brickwork.
It’s a fire hazard
Fires are thankfully rare, but we should do all we can to minimize the risk of one. Summers are when they are most likely to occur, as dry leaves and branches can act like tinder when exposed to intense heat.
If your gutters are clogged with this material, then there’s a small chance that it could get very hot and catch fire. Keeping them clear is the only way to be sure of preventing such a situation.
We’ve spoken about the bad news, now let’s focus on the good news. Keeping your gutters clear is a simple task, if a little tedious. Spending a day or so removing mud, twigs and debris each year will help you to avoid the problems above.
If you’d prefer not to get your hands dirty, then ProTeam Clean will do it for you. Our powerful gutter-vac system reaches up to 50 feet and gets to every square inch of your guttering — perfect for those with limited access. We’ll also replace or adjust existing guttering, or even install extra sections if necessary.
For a free gutter health check, go to our website and book your clean: https://www.proteamcleaning.co.uk/