Clogged Gutters And Downspouts Can Cause Water Damage

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

When is the last time that you unclogged your gutters? This may not be something that you think about often, but it is essential to the drainage of your roof. Leaves and yard debris can often get caught in the drainage system and cause plugs and clogs, which lead to downspouts backing up and not draining properly. So, how do you know if your gutters/downspouts are clogged? If you notice water pooling around certain areas, this is a telltale sign that there is a clog somewhere. If you leave your gutters clogged for too long, it can water damage inside the house.

1. Overflowing gutters can spill down the exterior of the wall. Siding is designed to resist rainfall and splashing, but it is not designed to undertake a continuous flow of water. Water seepage behind the siding penetrates exterior wood sheathing and makes its way into the inside of wall spaces in the house. Water from clogged gutters may deteriorate sheathing and saturate wallboard. What have we learned from sitting water for long periods of time? Mold! Mold is bound to grow in these types of conditions. 

2. Overflowing gutters also saturate the ground below it. If you have a basement, this was can seep into the basement walls. I have seen this first hand in my own basement. Even if you do not have a basement, the water forms pools and makes it more likely that water will penetrate cracks and pores in the concrete and foundation. 

3. Clogged gutters are filled with leaves, dirt, and debris, making it very heavy when it contains water. If it gets too heavy, the weight can loosen or damage the roof. This can allow water flowing off the roof to enter the attic and drip down into living spaces. It can also saturate attic insulation, destroying its insulating effectiveness as well as triggering toxic mold growth in the attic.

If you do find that there is water in your basement or crawlspace, whether it is from flooding, clogged gutters, or a pipe bursting,  that be from a backed up downspout or a pipe break, SERVPRO of Bradley County is Here To Help 24/7, 365.