The Top Causes of Clogged Gutters

by Kevin Smith Author

Clogged gutters aren't just an annoyance, it's threat to your home or business. Gutters direct water off of your roof and away from your foundation, then safely into your grass or other landscaping. If your gutters are clogged, they can't effectively keep your roof dry. A moist and dirty roof doesn't just look unappealing, either. Wet, dirty roofs invite dangerous mold and mildew, and can make your roof shingles become brittle or crack.

You should do all you can do keep your gutters clean, including hiring professionals to unclog them. Specialists in residential roofing in Mattoon, IL, can professionally service your gutters so that your roof stays out of harm's way.

But why exactly do your gutters seem to get so filthy or clogged all the time? There are several reasons why, and the reasons aren't actually that obvious.

Lush Landscaping

Trees are beautiful and help keep your energy costs down, but they're also are bad for your gutters. Leaves, sticks, pods, seeds, and other debris will be directed straight down your roof and into your gutters or downspouts, clogging them extremely quickly. This is especially common on flat roofs. Unfortunately, clogs can pack and condense, so the longer you wait between cleanings, the more tight, large, and compacted the clogs will be, making them even harder to treat.

Crooked Gutters

If your gutters or downspouts aren't aligned properly, or have pinch points due to exterior damage, they won't perform up to your standards. Debris that shouldn't be powerful enough to clog them will do so, simply because the internal diameter of the gutter or spout is smaller than it should be. You'll need to hire roofers to straighten your gutters so that they work at maximum capacity. They may have been installed poorly or become misaligned over time.

Ice

Even if you don't live in an area with full-coverage snowfall, you still may experience layers of ice in the coldest days of the year. Because the inside of your gutters and spouts don't see much sun, ice that builds up there will take a very long time to melt. As with crooked gutters and spouts, ice buildup will decrease the diameter through which moisture and debris can flow, causing clogs.

Clogs shouldn't be common, so if you experience frequent clogs, experts in residential roofing in Mattoon, IL, can help improve your gutter system so that you don't endanger your roof or busy yourself every weekend cleaning them. Improved gutters are an investment in future time savings, as well as in a good roof.