Gutters are crucial for helping your home stay dry and clean. Without proper gutter cleaning, they will eventually become clogged with debris and fail. Understanding how they work will help you ensure your system is always efficient. To help you prevent property damage, here’s all you need to know about how this exterior component functions. 

Why Gutter Cleaning Matters

How Gutters Should Work

Gutters are connected to the eaves of your roof, helping reroute water created by rain. Once it flows into the gutter system, the fluid moves into the downspout, which channels it down the side of your home. It will carry it either underground into a French drain or through a sloped pipe that channels it to an exposed drain.

As a result, homes with working gutter systems don’t accumulate pools of water, remaining clean, dry, and stable. 

What Happens When Blockages Occur 

Unfortunately, leaves, twigs, and other debris can end up in your gutter system, leading to blockages over time. Even with gutter guards, leaves will accumulate atop the filters, preventing them from entering the unit.

These clogs impede the natural flow of water and can create pooling in the gutters, allowing rainfall to overflow and penetrate any surrounding roofing shingles. Eventually, blockages can contribute to damaged roofing, or even indoor water leaks. 

Poorly designed, broken, or blocked gutters may also result in foundation damage. For instance, if the downspouts aren’t sloped toward a drain or away from the house, water can pool around the foundation and cause soil softening. As it rains, the earth will get moved, a phenomenon known as erosion. Fortunately, professional gutter cleaning twice a year keeps water flowing to prevent these issues.

If your gutters are filled with leaves and debris, turn to A-Team Window Cleaning for help. Based out of Marietta, GA, this team of professional cleaners uses power washing to sanitize gutters, windows, decks, and other home areas. View a gallery of their work on their Facebook page or call (404) 671-2703 to schedule an appointment.