Australia’s severe weather, high winds, and the tree branches overhanging your roof can cause debris to accumulate on your roof. Over time, this debris—which is primarily composed of twigs and leaves—can fill up your rain gutters and clog them. Some people even reported that birds and other critters have built up nests in their gutters, further obstructing the water flow.
These explain why making sure your gutters are clear is essential to keep your home in good shape because you don’t know just what sort of damage a clogged gutter can cause.
The Damage Clogged Gutters Can Do to Your Roof
Gutters work by channelling rainwater and melting snow away from your home. When they are clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, the water has nowhere to go but to back up and this can seriously damage your property in Sydney. Working with your local roofing contractor can help you identify the potential areas of damage that clogged gutters can cause and address them immediately.
Roof – The roof damage that standing water can create starts from the shingles that come in direct contact with the water. They will start to deteriorate and when they become saturated, the roof deck gets damaged as well. When left undetected, the water will then soak your insulation and eventually the interiors of your home. It will be obvious with the water damage in your ceilings and walls.
Gutters – The water and debris in clogged gutters can get very heavy to the point that the gutters will start to detach from the sidings of your home. They can either create gaps in the system or the gutters will completely detach and fall. If you’re not careful, it can injure someone in your property or cause damage to your landscaping.
Siding – The problem doesn’t end there though, because another likely thing to happen is for the water to spill over the gutters and seep down into the sidings of your home or anything else that is underneath, window frames, wooden structures, etc. If the water gets into the cracks and crevices in your walls, you may find yourself dealing with mould and mildew, too.
Landscape – Excess water falling on your landscaping can cause physical damage to your plants, shrubs, and flowers. Not only that, but the pools of water may also rot their roots thus killing them. Besides dealing with the damage to your aesthetics, you may also find yourself spending on repairs and replacement of your plants.
Structural Integrity – Not only can the overflowing water saturate your roof, sidings, and landscape, but the ground beneath your property as well. Pools of water can form and penetrate cracks in your concrete and deteriorate its foundation. If this is prolonged, structural damage may occur, and the wooden structures may warp over time from water exposure.
Interiors – Inside your home, water can seep through the inside of your roof, your ceiling, and electrical systems. Even your appliances and furniture are at risk of water damage, too. All these items are not designed to withstand excess water exposure. In particular, your doors and door frames can warp and swell up, suddenly becoming harder to close.
As said above, excess water from your clogged gutters may also carry health risks as they can promote mould and mildew growth that triggers allergic reactions and respiratory problems. On top of that, they can also lead to a pest infestation, as the excess water can attract insects and parasites—mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, and termites included.
You may not even realise that your gutters are already filled up with debris until there’s significant damage on your property. It’s why engaging a roofing contractor to conduct routine cleaning, or a gutter replacement Sydney expert as a final resort, is a great way to maximise your investment and extend the life of your roof.
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