Guttering on a house is a system of troughs used for the purpose of collecting rainwater that runs off a roof. They act to channel the rainwater into downspouts and away from your roof, windows and foundations. Most common are open gutters which can regularly collect environmental debris, causing them to become blocked. For them to function correctly, they need regular clearing out and maintenance.
The job of guttering is to collect rainwater to protect the property but inevitably things collect in them such as leaves, moss and even birds can nest in them. This clogs the access to the downspouts or the gutter itself, leading to a number of problems. The blockages can cause an overflow of rainwater, potential water damage to your property and even be a fire hazard. Blockages are more often caused if there is also a pest problem. For Pest Control Essex, visit a site like BPC Pest Control, a leading provider of Pest Control Essex.
Here are examples of the problems caused by blocked gutters:
A build-up of debris
Anything like leaves, moss or grass will soon start to decompose and as it gets damp, it will form a solid mat and become compressed. This will completely block your guttering.
Matted clogged up material is a fire risk and causes damage to your roof by leaving backed up water under the shingles.
Such a firm blockage can result in water cascading over the edges of your guttering, meaning no control over where that water is going.
Potential damage includes:
Cellar flooding
Cracks appearing in the foundations
Dry-rot on wooden fascia boards, soffit, and roof
Damage to paintwork
Damage to windows and doorways
Increased potential for mould accumulation