Strong rainstorms can wreak havoc on your home, especially in your gutters. When they suffer from storm damage, you’ll need a gutter cleaning company to remedy the situation right away, as allowing it to progress will compromise your roof’s structural integrity. When left unchecked, you’ll be more exposed to inclement weather, leaving more room for water to seep through your roof and damage your home.
Luckily, you can avoid this by familiarizing yourself with the common types of gutter storm damage and knowing what happens if they remain unaddressed. Here’s what you need to know:
The Types of Storm Damage
Leaking
If a hurricane has recently ripped through your neighborhood, it’ll likely have brought in storm debris into your gutter troughs, effectively obstructing them. It may also result in an overflow of rain in your gutters, which will spill over and potentially harm your foundation with the constant trickle of rainwater. To prevent this, you can explore the gutter installation of leaf guards, which will shield your gutters from storm debris. You’ll also need to contact a gutter cleaning company to clear your gutters out after a storm and protect them from leaking and overflowing.
Sagging
Thunderstorms and hurricanes can severely damage gutters and troughs, causing them to sag. This usually happens when the gutters become clogged, and the rain congests it even further, putting more weight and pressure on the structure until it sags and pulls away from your house. If you spot a sagging gutter, you’ll need a home maintenance service to reinstall the fasteners that secure the gutter.
Falling Troughs
Heavy winds can also damage your gutters, causing them to fall off your home. If you hear a shredding sound during a storm, that may be the wind twisting your gutters and pulling them off your home. Fortunately, if they are still salvageable, you can ask a gutter repair company to fix them up and get your drainage system back to good working order.
Water Damage
Water damage is one of the biggest potential problems of unmaintained gutters. If you have improperly installed troughs that leak or sag, you may have water damage at the foundation or siding. This will lead to moisture in basements, resulting in mold and mildew growth, compromising your health and safety.
What Happens When You Don’t Fix Broken Gutters
Not many homeowners are aware of the consequences of not fixing broken gutters. Here are some of them:
Structural Damage
Water damage from broken gutters is bad enough, but it can also lead to structural damage to your property. It can cause major leaks in your home and cracks in your property, like in the walls and foundation. When left untreated, your siding will start to rot, allowing the water damage to spread into your windows and walls.
Illnesses and Worse Allergies
Broken gutters often result in water damage and cracks in your home, paving the way for mold to grow. Those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems are most at risk here since mold worsens these conditions. Some kinds of molds can even lead to death, making it essential to clear your home of harmful growth right away.
Roof Damage
It can be costly to fix roof damage, especially one battered by heavy rains and snow. If your gutters don’t work as they should because they’re broken, you’ll have to replace your roof much sooner than expected. Additionally, insurance policies typically do not cover this kind of damage.
Conclusion
A clean, well-maintained gutter will help reinforce your home, protect you from the worst of elements, and prevent your household from getting sick due to mold growth. There are many different ways to fix gutters, although it’s best to leave it to a professional. They have the skills and knowledge to repair and restore your gutters to perfection.
Call Pittsburgh Service is a home maintenance company offering property maintenance, gutter cleaning services, window cleaning, and much more. We can help you enjoy a beautifully maintained home and property all year. Contact us today for a free quote!