Roof gutter clogged with leaves

5 Major Problems Caused By Clogged Gutters

Avoid the Dangers of Clogged Gutters

Cleaning out the gutters always seems like such a chore and hiring someone to do it doesn’t seem worth the money, right? Well, that all depends on whether you’re willing to risk damage to your property and the health and safety of its inhabitants. Clogged gutters are a common cause of MANY different issues including insect infestations, mould poisoning and even structural damage to houses, unit blocks, commercial buildings, venues and more. We don’t mean to scare you, but clogged gutters really are no joke! Here are 5 major problems caused by clogged gutters that you’ve probably never even considered…

1. Broken gutters and burst downpipes

Keeping an eye out for the signs of a clogged gutter and calling in a professional gutter cleaner to help unclog the gutter FAST is essential in keeping the guttering from breaking or the attached downpipes from bursting.

Clogged gutters

When a gutter is clogged, the water it collects has nowhere to go. It fills the gutter and causes immense pressure to push on the gutter walls. Gutters are built to catch and direct the flow of water; they’re not built to hold vast amounts of it. With each extra litre of water that remains trapped in a clogged gutter, the extra weight builds and builds until the guttering warps out of shape or breaks away from the roof completely.

2. Wall and ceiling water damage

If your property is suffering from a clogged gutter, one of the first signs you might notice is a leaking roof, or water dripping down the walls on both the inside and the outside of the building. When water gets into the walls and ceiling, it can take a LONG time to dry out again, leaving them prone to rot and severely impacting the structural integrity and lifespan of these main pillars of the building.

Water damage in ceiling

If left long enough, a clogged gutter can even force enough water into the roof that part of the roof collapses, dropping a fountain of water into the home and leaving a gaping hole in the ceiling. No, thank you!

3. Insect infestations

How many times have you walked into your backyard, only to be greeted by a swarm of hungry mosquitos? If this is the case, they may be breeding in your clogged gutters! Stagnant water, plus leaves and twigs, plus whatever other bits and pieces nature sees fit to drop into your guttering creates the perfect ecosystem for mosquito breeding.

If there’s an abundance of mud, muck and damp leaves involved, you may find bees, wasps and hornets attracted to your home too. Rather than getting out the bug spray, the solution to your insect infestation could simply be a quick call to book in a professional gutter clean. Give the gutter cleaner a heads up about any potentially dangerous bugs you’ve noticed around the gutters and they’ll come prepared to deal with them.

4. Mould and moss growth

Mould can be quite dangerous, not only to the structure on which it lives, but to the people in close proximity to where it grows too. People with asthma, weakened immune systems and other health conditions may be extra susceptible to the spores that mould creates, causing breathing issues and potential asthma attacks. So, how do we keep mould out of our living spaces? We reduce the amount of moisture! How do we reduce the amount of moisture? We keep our gutters clean and free of blockages!

Clogged gutters with moss

Aside from looking like an eyesore on the roof of a home, moss can cause similar health issues AND it spreads like wildfire.

It’s definitely best to keep your gutters regularly well-maintained in order to avoid these nasties.

5. Shortened roof lifespan

Speaking of moss congregating on roofing, it isn’t the only thing that can cause damage to both the aesthetic and the structural integrity of a building. If a gutter is left to sit with damp leaves, stagnant water and muck, then rust, rot and other corrosives will inevitably appear, shortening the lifespan of your roof by causing irreversible damage.

When buying a home, you want your roof to last for as long as possible – at least 15-30 years, hopefully longer. Replacing or repairing an entire roof is costly and will create a MASSIVE inconvenience while the repair or replacement work is being done.

Regularly hiring a professional to clean and clear your roofing and guttering systems from the minute you buy a home is the best way maximise the lifespan of your roof while you enjoy the peace of mind that you and your family will be safe and sound with a healthy roof over your heads for years and years to come.

Melbourne gutter cleaning services

At Box Gutter Cleaning, we’re here to help you take the very best care of your guttering so you can avoid all the issues listed here in this article.

As a leading gutter cleaning service in Melbourne, you can trust our knowledge and expertise. Please contact us if you’d like to for a quote today! Call 1300 BOX GUTTER (1300 269 488)