Gutters are designed to direct water from rain and melting snow away from your home. When gutters are not properly maintained, they become clogged with debris and do not drain correctly, resulting in a build-up of standing water. In the spring, summer, and fall, this build-up will cause your gutters to overflow. In the winter, even on Vancouver Island, this build-up of standing water will freeze.
Why should you care if your gutters are clogged?
Water is a heavy material, and when an excess builds up, it will put an extra strain on the gutters, causing them to sag, tear, and pull away from your home. In some cases, gutters may come loose entirely or require replacement.
If water freezes in the gutter because of excessive debris blocking it from draining, it will create an ice dam, forcing melting snow and ice underneath the shingles and into your home.
Since water tends to expand as it freezes, if there’s any accumulated water in your gutters and if it’s leaked into your foundation, you might end up seeing some cracks.
Icicles caused by ice dams can create severe damage to your roof and gutter system.
What can you do?
Since your gutters will most likely experience an increase in the flow of water and snow during the winter, it's important that they are cleared of debris and functioning correctly. Clean and inspect your gutters in the late fall, or hire us to do it for you!
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