23 Jan Will Overflowing Gutters Damage My Roof?

Will Overflowing Gutters Damage My Roof?

Want to hear the straight and honest truth? Not many people are that great about keeping their gutters clean. You’re probably not surprised to hear this, and we’d wager that you might not even remember the last time you checked to make sure your gutters were clean. Perhaps there are a few things we can say to convince you that checking your gutters is totally worth it.

Checking your gutters means making sure that they are free of debris such as leaves, pine needles, tennis balls, and that random Frisbee you lost a few years back. Clogged gutters mean gutters that don’t work efficiently (or even at all), because clogs lead to overflowing gutters, and you don’t want to even go there. Maybe now you’re wondering, “will overflowing gutters damage your roof?” Absolutely. Not only will overflowing gutters damage your roof, but they’ll cause a host of other issues that are much less than desirable. Keep reading if you want to scare yourself into submission.

Damages Caused by Overflowing Gutters

Not only will your overflowing gutters cause roof damage, but they will result in a handful of other costly problems. Your best bet? Avoid them altogether by keeping your gutters clean and clear. But just in case you need some extra motivation, continue reading about the effects of clogged and overflowing gutters.

1.    Roof Damage

Yep, you heard it here first. Overflowing gutters cause roof damage. The purpose of your gutter system is to direct water away from your roof and away from the side of your home. A clogged gutter can do neither of these things effectively, if at all. As your gutter overflows, water will pool back onto your roof, causing excessive shingle damage. You’re also going to see a higher risk for roof sags, cracks, and leaks. Eesh.

2.    Flood Damage

Because water is now going to pool near your home, you’re also going to see higher incidents of flooding. If you have a basement, you’ll probably see some flooding and water damage. Not only that, but you’ll have flooding in your walkways, driveway, and most likely anywhere else that is lower ground.

3.    Mold Damage

Alongside water damage comes the dreaded mold damage. Mold is particularly scary, because you sometimes cannot see or smell it, but it’s health effects are still present. If you breathe in mold spores, you and your family are at risk for respiratory infections, fevers, asthma, headaches, and many other ill effects.

4.    Home Damage

Overflowing gutters also cause damage to the siding of your home, whether it’s plastic, wood, or otherwise. Not only will the color and paint begin to fade, but it also puts your siding at risk for rot, cracks, and worse.

5.    Landscape Damage

As water builds up on the side of your home, you will likely also see puddles forming in your lawn and garden beds. That’s because these areas were not likely designed to withstand flooding. The more water that pools there, the more likely you’ll have to spend money to redo portions of your landscaping. And that isn’t cheap.

6.    Foundation Damage

As water pools at the base of your home, you’re also putting yourself at risk for foundation damage. Your foundation (or slab) is made up of concrete, and as concrete absorbs rainwater, it will begin to swell and crack. Now you’ve got another problem on your hands (one that is extremely costly to fix, we might add).

7.    Gutter Damage

Oh that’s right – overflowing gutters also damage the gutters themselves. Your gutters were meant to take on rain – not the weight of a thousand pine needles and rotting leaves. The longer you wait to clean out your gutters, the heavier the burden they bear. This will result in sags and breakages in your gutter system, and you’ll have to have the entire line repaired or replaced.

Will overflowing gutters damage your roof? You betcha. Luckily for you, the solution is easy: invest in an annual gutter cleanout service. Or better yet, do it yourself. If you live in an area with pine trees, you’ll have to clean your gutters out more than once each year. The first step is to perform a visual inspection of your gutters and roofline, and then to clear out any debris with a broom or by hand. If you need help clearing out your gutters, call your local service provider and schedule an inspection today.