What Causes Gutters to Clog?

Cleaning out gutters in the spring and fall might seem like an unimportant task, but failure to do so can cause serious problems for your home. From foundation damage to roof leaks, clogged gutters can lead to expensive repairs when left untreated.

When searching out the perfect home, many families seek a peaceful setting with scenic surroundings, which is typically bounded by trees and although this adds some beautiful aesthetics to a home, you’re also in line for clogged gutters.

At US ROOFING Contractors we give you the main reasons why and how gutters get clogged:

Nearby trees:

The main cause of rain gutter clogging is your home’s proximity to trees. All year, and then more intensely in autumn, trees shed leaves. Some leaves find their way onto roofs and from there, into the gutters and downspouts. The clogging is quicker and more troublesome for houses that have flat or near-flat roofs. Clogging also rapidly arises in gutters that are not sufficiently angled toward the downspouts.

Gutters that become clogged by leaves and twigs remain wet for longer and are difficult to blow out. This type of block generates the perfect environment for molds, pests and birds to make their home. Clogging also leads to gutter sagging and gutter overflows, which may seep into and damage the roofing structure or the building’s foundation.

Accumulated ice:

Snow is another gutter-clogging agent. Again, the inclination of the roof and the setting of the gutter play a major role in prevention. In the typical case, the accumulation of snow on the roof is not, by itself a problem. The trouble is that a poorly ventilated attic retains more warmth than a properly ventilated attic would, leading to the thawing of the snow on the roof. The snow then slides onto the cold gutter, and the sudden temperature difference freezes some of the snow into ice. Soon enough, the gutter is clogged.

Downspouts:

Sometimes nature has nothing to do with it. A poorly designed or improperly installed gutter downspout may trap debris, particularly at the entry or exit points, blocking the natural flow of water and causing water to dam in the gutter and trap more debris. The result is the clogging of the gutter that is often blamed on leaves and twigs.

Preventing Gutter Clogging:

The obvious solution to clogged gutters is to unclog them. But well maintained gutters will make it less likely that a gutter clogs in the first place. The established rule is to have two major cleanings a year. The best timing is before and after autumn, because that is when trees unload more leaves. But it may be necessary to clean the gutter in between the two major cleanings, depending on the age and state of the gutter.

At US ROOFING Contractors, we are roofing experts and we have many years of experience in the roofing industry. Our commitment is to make you feel safe!

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services, siding services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.