Without a leaf guard or routine cleaning, your gutters will become clogged with leaves, twigs, seeds, and debris. Beyond being a nuisance, this could bring a range of consequences to your home. Below are a few reasons you should keep them clean to protect your property.

How Clogged Gutters Affect Your Home

1. Attract Pests

Clogged systems trap water, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. In turn, these pests attract low-level predators like birds, which may leave droppings on the side of your home. Plus, nuisance animals like squirrels may decide to form nests with the debris in the unit.

2. Comprise Your Foundation

Water from blocked systems will run down the side of your house, creating puddles over the base of your home. The standing water softens the ground and causes soil shifting, while also seeping into the siding and foundation. This gradual erosion can turn the area soft and unstable, creating a hazard.

3. Contribute to Ice Dams

Ice dams are accumulations of snow and ice that form on the rim of your roof, causing shingles to peel and widening any existing cracks or holes on your roof. They also place excess weight on your shingles and add to water accumulation as they melt. Debris-laden systems will trap ice, snow, and water in this area, helping the dams form.

4. Spread Mold & Rot

When water overflows from these units, it could pool over the roof. As it soaks through the shingles, it could create warping and even leaks. Without cleaning to correct this, the moisture from rainfalls may lead to mold, rot, and water damage that affects your roof, insulation, and potentially the attic.

Do your gutters need to be cleaned? The experts at Nate’s Gutters LLC in Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem, and La Crosse, WI, bring 20 years of experience to the table with their comprehensive and affordable work. They will restore proper flow to your system quickly and safely. If you’re tired of dealing with debris accumulation, they carry seamless systems and leaf guards to keep your gutters debris-free. Learn more about what they do online or call (608) 526-4010 to schedule cleaning.