Almost every homeowner deals with a clogged gutter from time to time. It’s a huge inconvenience that may require professional attention if left unattended for too long.
To be able to prevent clogs, you’ll need to know what causes them first. Once you establish a proper maintenance routine, you won’t have to worry about clogging anymore. Therefore, in this article, we decided to make a list of the things that can potentially clog your gutter to help you avoid it.
So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Table of Contents
1. Twigs and branches
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Perhaps the most common cause for clogged gutters, accumulated debris from trees can be quite damaging to your home. So, remember to trim your trees and clean it regularly during the fall season. If you live in a particularly windy area, then you’ll have to clean it even more often.
Whatever you do, make sure to check them as often as you can. If you’re frequently cleaning them, there won’t be enough time for a clog to form. Other than that, it will save you a lot of time, effort, and potentially- money. If the clog is located deeply in the system, you’ll need to either hire the professionals or invest in costly equipment. So, don’t let it get that bad! Regular maintenance might be a bit inconvenient at the beginning, but it will save you from a lot of headaches later on.
2. Small animals
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For some odd reason, small animals like squirrels and birds can sometimes wreak havoc and their waste can prevent the water from flowing effortlessly.
So, make sure to check if you have any unwanted guests up there. It’s simple to do and it could save you from having to deal with potentially hazardous, rotting materials. A good way to prevent this from happening is by installing gutter guards. They’re not very expensive and they’ll keep most issues at bay.
Of course, do your research and find the right mesh cover to help you fix the animal problem. Depending on the climate you live in, your gutter guards should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. So, get the most durable mesh covers you can find and make sure to install them properly.
3. Roofing problems
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Your roof is the first line of defense against everything nature may throw at your house. So, if you’re dealing with a decaying roof, chances are your gutters are suffering too. A damaged roof may create clogs by breaking down into parts and producing debris.
While roof maintenance is a completely different thing, they’re very well connected. You can’t have healthy gutters if you don’t have a healthy roof (and vice versa). Therefore, do not forget to check on your roof from time to time. If you suspect that it endured some kind of damage, get a roofing professional to help you assess the situation and fix the potential issue.
Of course, we don’t need to tell you why keeping your roof healthy is important. It goes much deeper than just having clog-free gutters, so make sure you practice a proper roof maintenance routine too.
4. Poorly designed/installed system
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While even the best gutter in the world will eventually encounter some clogging issues, if you notice that your problem is persistent no matter what you do or how often you clean it, you may be dealing with a poorly installed system. The issues usually begin in your downspout, so they can be difficult to notice at first.
If you’re dealing with a clogged downspout, you’ll likely have to ask for some professional assistance since those clogs are hard to reach. Cleaning services such as the UK based gutterspecialists.co.uk can also help you notice any irregularities in your gutter’s design or installment.
Overall, if you seem to be doing everything right: cleaning your gutter regularly, checking for clogs, getting covers, and it still manages to get clogged frequently- it’s time to call the professionals. You’re probably dealing with a faulty design, so you’ll need professional advice to help you deal with it.
5. Snow
img source: muthroofing.com
Ice damming is one of the most common issues during the winter. So, if the winter temperatures where you live frequently go below zero, you’re probably well aware of the problems that arise when it’s cold outside.
Of course, the accumulated snow on your roof is not the main problem. The main issue lies in your attic. If it’s improperly ventilated, it will retain too much heat, melting off the snow from the roof and sending it directly to your gutters. Once the snow reaches the cold gutters, the sudden drop in temperature causes it to freeze.
If you try to ignore ice damming, you’ll have to deal with much larger issues later on, so make sure to find ways to properly ventilate your attic. It could save your gutter and your roof from enduring damage, and it could save you from having to pay for costly repairs.
The bottom line
There are many reasons for a clogged gutter, and sometimes they won’t be anything predictable. Anything that gets in there that’s not water can be a cause of a clog. The best way to prevent this from happening is to create a maintenance schedule. In that way, you’ll be able to get rid of the problem before it becomes too difficult to handle. Other than that, consider investing in guards as they can keep away many cloggy materials from entering your system. Also, make sure to keep your attic ventilated during the winter, trim your trees during the fall, and don’t forget to check your roof for potential damage. If the problems persist, no matter what you do, it’s time to call the professionals. They’ll be able to tell you the exact cause of the issue and help you find a way to fix it.
