1. Key Takeaways
2. How Clogged Gutters Damage Roofs
3. Broader Risks of Neglected Gutters
4. Safeguard Your Home With a Working Gutter
Water pooling around your roof can lead to expensive roof repairs, and clogged gutters will cause just that. This blockage can cause costly damage to shingles, the fascia, and even the structure of the roof at times. Severe storms can occur in places like New Orleans in the southern United States. If neglected, clogged gutters can cause reduced flow can end in serious situations – leaks, wood rot, and mildew.
Maintaining your gutters regularly with the TurnKey Roofing team is very important to avoid unnecessary repair work and to avoid damage to your roof. Addressing gutter issues right away saves time and money. Need help getting started? Give us a call today and let our team check your gutters before the next storm rolls in.
Don’t let clogged gutters silently cause mayhem on your roof, making an easy home upkeep chore into an expensive home repair endeavor. Without ongoing maintenance, the effects can compound rapidly. This is particularly the case in Southern cities such as New Orleans and surrounding metropolitan cities, with copious amounts of rain and humidity.
When issues of a clog in the gutters occur, the water can no longer travel through the gutter system; therefore, it begins to back up and overflow out of the sides. The water will then start to leak down through layers of shingles and produce moisture on the roof deck, which will then leak into your home.
In the end, the water leaks into the cabinetry, the ceiling, the walls, and the attic. Stains, water damage, mold, and rotten insulation are all terrible consequences of water leaking into your home.
Once gutters are clogged, water will pool behind the clog and remain on your roof, hastening the life of your roof material. Long periods of exposure to water can cause cracks and rot in roof shingles.
In Louisiana’s humid environment, this process can accelerate significantly. If not addressed, it can lead to the premature breakdown of the roofing materials, resulting in a premature roof replacement.
Overflowing water doesn’t just ruin your gutters. The fascia and soffit—wood or metal boards that support your roof’s edges—are what get hurt. Continuous exposure to moisture ultimately causes them to rot and peel paint. Second, it can weaken the roof structure, putting the entire roof structure at risk.
During winter, clogged gutters trap melting snow within the gutters and then freeze to create dangerous ice dams. These will lift and/or curl shingles and permit water to seep underneath them, resulting in leaks and possible structural damage.
Clogged gutters can lead to water pooling in your foundation or leaking into your roofing structure. Moisture, over time, can damage important beams, rafters, and other structural components.
Clogged gutters are not only a nuisance—they can bring expensive structural harm that can endanger the entire house. Though overflowing gutters, easily mended with regular maintenance, do not appear threatening, the water can flow downstream to produce harm considerably worse than their origins. Here are some of the broader and more dangerous risks.
After gutters clog, water overflows onto the ground, which can waterlog the soil around your house. That happens often in New Orleans during heavy rainstorms. That can lead to soil erosion and instability of foundations.
Overflowing gutters tend to allow water right into a house’s foundation, raising the probability of basement flooding and other kinds of interior water damage. That can potentially wreck flooring, drywall, and personal belongings housed underneath.
Blocked gutters catch water, which permits a breeding ground for mildew and spores. That’s an added risk because of the heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast. Mildew prefers a wet environment and is nothing more than excess moisture. Mold can cause structural damage and health issues for occupants who have respiratory issues.
Don’t let plugged gutters look like a little issue. Don’t let their size fool you – they can be gigantic headaches for your roof and gigantic financial losses for you! Even small blockages can quickly turn into major water damage if ignored. Regular maintenance goes a long way in keeping your home safe and dry.
If you have questions about the condition of your gutters or roof, or if you’re not sure about the newest storm damage to your roof, reach out to our team at TurnKey Roofing. We’re here to take a look, offer honest advice, and help you avoid costly repairs down the line.
Turnkey Roofing Team 
