A clogged gutter may not seem like a big issue, but it can cause significant damage to your home, from damage to the foundation to rot and deterioration of the fascia board. Before you have to spend money on repairs and replacements, watch out for these seven signs of a clogged gutter.
Leaking Roof or Water Marks on the Ceiling
The first telltale sign is a leaking roof caused by excess water that was floating on the gutters dripping inside the house. Gutters collect water and direct it to tanks or through downspouts; if the drains or the piping is blocked, water accumulates on top of the roof, which causes it to start dripping inside the home through the ceiling.
The more the water settles on top of the roof, the more it seeps into the home and settles on the ceiling board. You may also notice wet patches on the board.
Overflowing Water
Gutters can fill up with debris such as leaves, shingles, or parts of tree limbs. Such garbage will resist water flow in the channels and the pipes causing it to over flow like a waterfall. When the water overflows exceedingly from the sides, you will also notice water damages, including flooding in your basement.
Sagging Gutters
The gutter can fill up with many things, but when the debris is heavy, like when it contains pine needles, shingle grits, and probably heavy branches of trees, it may be too overwhelming for the gutter to handle. Eventually, the weight of this debris will cause the drain to sag, bulge, bend, or pull away from the house.
Growing Greenery
It's not unlikely for seeds to find their way to your gutters, after which, with sunlight and water, the drain becomes a conducive environment for a garden to grow. If you spot plants growing from your channel, it's time to clean the gutter.
Staining on the Sides
Stagnant rain water can cause staining on your siding because water keeps dripping through the same drip lines rather than through the gutter pipes. As the water flows on and on, it creates brown or black streaks on the side of your gutters. You may also notice the black streaks have residue or moss from the stagnated water in the gutter.
Nesting Birds and Pests
Birds are often attracted to clogged gutters as they would make an ideal home for their nests. You may also notice rodents such as squirrels, possums, mice, insects like wasps and mosquitoes, and even snakes.
Additional Signs
If the signs of a clogged gutter aren't evident by now, there are other signs to look out for. First is the presence of mold and mildew. Moist areas such as the channels provide an excellent breeding ground for mildew. So if you see moldy or green patches around your home, either at the rooftop or the exterior wall, you most likely have a blocked gutter.
You may also notice rotting wood or damage to the fascia boards on your roof's shingles and behind the gutters. If your channel has metallic attachments, you may see rusting and corrosion from extended exposure to rainwater. Finally, if you see cracks in your home's foundation or damages on the brickwork, that could also be a sign of a clogged gutter.
Conclusion
Cleaning and maintaining your rain gutters is essential and should be a priority task for your home. If you don't want to have to deal with these adverse side effects of a clogged gutter, clean your gutters annually or when you spot any of these telltale signs above.
If you need help with gutter cleaning, contact
Mr. Gutter Nova, we offer gutter cleaning services along with installation and repair.