When it comes to your home’s exterior, your roof and siding might hog the spotlight. However, your gutters are far from second fiddle. When working correctly, a drainage system is integral to your home’s condition. When clogged, it will attract pests that could put your house and family in harm’s way. If you’re interested in keeping your gutters free and clear, consider the following guide.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Gutters

What Attracts Pests to Gutters?

Over time, leaves, twigs, and other organic debris will gather in your drainage system, as will stray baseballs, roofing shingles, and other human-made items. These objects will clog your gutters, attracting nesting pests like birds and squirrels. The clutter will accumulate dirt, pollen, mold, and mildew, attracting insects like ants and roaches. The clogs could also cause water to pool in your gutters, forming a stagnant layer where mosquitoes like to breed. 

How Can They Damage My Drainage System & Roof?

The weight of some pests alone will damage your drainage system. For example, squirrels, birds, rodents, and opossums pull the gutters away from your roof, allowing water from your roof to fall through the opening and pool around your home’s foundation, threatening its structural stability. Since droppings from birds and other pests are acidic, their presence could eat away at your gutters, leaving holes and leaks. Once nesting animals arrive in your gutters, they may try to peel parts away from surrounding fixtures, such as your roof, to add to their habitats.

How Can I Deter Pests?

If you want to keep pests from infesting your drainage system, and potentially entering your home, you need to keep your gutters clean. While cleaning them out by hand every few weeks is useful, it can be dangerous and time-consuming. The best solution is to install gutter guards. These filter-like screens allow rainwater to pass through while keeping leaves, twigs, and pests from infiltrating your gutters so that you prevent blockages and gutter damage.

If you’re interested in protecting your home with gutter guards, turn to Seaford Roofing of Kannapolis and Concord, NC. This trusted roofing contractor has nearly 50 years of experience constructing roofs, but they also install gutter guards to protect your home’s drainage system. To learn more about their skills or to schedule a free estimate with their fully licensed and insured team, call (704) 305-7776.