3 Signs That Your Gutters are Blocked and What to Do About It
Your gutter may seem like an unnecessary addition to your property, but they serve a fundamental purpose. Without them, your house will probably leak, or your roof would be full of mold. It is, therefore, of the utmost benefit to keep your gutters completely clean at all times. The best way to keep your gutters clean is to always check on them.
Routine evaluation of their state ensures you always know their blockage status. You may need to check for signs of blockage if you cannot check on them using a ladder or by climbing onto your roof.
The following are three signs that your gutters are blocked.
Plant and Animal Life
Small animals such as bugs and even smaller microorganisms are bound to inhabit your gutters. They are not the life that is symptomatic of a blocked gutter. In most cases, they are too small to make a significant impact on your gutter. The appearance of weeds and other plants is a worrying sign of a blocked gutter. It means enough dirt has accumulated in your gutter to function as soil for plant growth.
Most of the dirt blown by the wind and onto your roof will be washed away by the rain. The gutter cleaning experts https://www.seersgroup.co.uk/g
When the wind, birds, or insects transport seeds onto your roof, they will find an area that is conducive to germination. It is only a matter of time before they grow. When you see partially or full-grown plants on your gutter, it is time to clean it. Birds are a common culprit as far as blocked gutters go. They like to create nests in gutters. The reason is that birds can usually find all they need to create a nest in the gutters.
Also, gutters are safe from rodents and other animals that may eat the birds’ eggs or young. Rodents are also an indication that you need to clean your gutter. They can easily access your roof if there is a large tree nearby. They also like nesting in the eaves and nests found in the gutter. Rodents attract snakes that you may find in your gutter. In this case, the solution is to manually remove the plants, debris, bird’s nest, or even snakes from your gutter. However, there is no assurance that they won’t be back.
Sagging Gutters
Sagging gutters are a very vivid sign that your gutter is blocked. Gutters should stay in a place close to the roof where they were installed. A gutter is meant only to handle the weight of the water it carries. When you add leaves and other debris, the load gets too heavy for the gutter to handle hence the sag. As we have seen above, the debris can come from a multitude of sources, depending on the surroundings.
You can try reupholstering the gutters by tying them to the roof for support. However, this is a temporary issue that will break down sooner or later. It will work longer if you regularly clean the debris from the gutter. The permanent solution, in this case, is to replace the gutters completely. It sounds expensive, which can be, but not replacing the gutters will cost you more in the long run.
Waterfalls and Icicles
If your gutter is blocked, water inside them does not flow as it should. When you have rain falling in temperatures above freezing (0oC), the result of a clogged gutter will be a tiny waterfall. The same will happen even if you use fine mesh screen gutter guards. The debris in the gutter will build up and block the mesh screen, causing water to flow right over it.
The good news is that it is simple to notice a waterfall flowing from your gutter. It makes it easier to take corrective action and make a gutter repair. If the temperatures are below freezing, you will see icicles hanging from the gutter instead of the water flowing freely through it. The main reason for icicles on your gutter is a blockage, and, in most cases, the gutter is beyond cleaning, and a replacement is necessary.
There is one solution that can help with all the above signs of a blocked gutter, and that is gutter covers. They protect the gutters not only from blockage by debris but also from external damage. You should find a local dealer as soon as possible if you have blocked gutters.
