We all get a little lazy from time to time. Sometimes we give up looking for the remote and decide to watch whatever is on. Sometimes we skip the gym and sleep in instead. Sometimes we put off cleaning and fixing the gutters. Well, you may want to reconsider that last one.
If your home’s gutters are working at anything less than full capacity, then your home could be in serious danger, and you could benefit from working with a Maryland home inspector. Damaged gutters can inflict serious damage on your home, and serious stress on you. We wanted to take some time today to discuss the possible dangers of neglecting a damaged gutter.
Leaky Gutters Can Cause Problems
The primary function of your home’s gutter system is to divert water away from the house. If your gutters are leaking then they aren’t properly performing this duty. Here’s just some of the issues that can arise from leaky gutters:
- Damage to your roof and fascia
- Damaged and swollen siding
- Erosion of the soil
- Stains on siding or concrete
- Wearing down of your gutters, causing them to fall off
- Water pooling near the foundation, which can cause a damaged or cracked foundation
- Water pooling around the sides of your home, which can lead to the flooding of your home or basement
The key factor here is that leaky gutters aren’t functioning gutters. They lead to water being in places that it shouldn’t be, and damage to your home. Prevent leaks by conducting regular Maryland home inspections.
The Danger of Weather
If you’ve lived in Maryland for a while then you know how much it rains here. Even a light to moderate rain can lead to up to 500 gallons of runoff, enough to have your gutters working overtime. When you combine the Maryland storms with a set of damaged gutters, you get a recipe for disaster.
How to Tell if Your Gutters Are Leaking
Unless you’re spending a lot of time on your roof, you may not notice immediately when your gutters start leaking. One way to tell is to check them out when it’s raining. This, of course, requires you to get a little wet, but it’s worth it if it prevents damage to your home. You’ll want to look to make sure that the water is draining out where it is, and if it’s coming out of where it shouldn’t be, it could mean your gutters are leaking or are clogged.
Get Some Help From a Maryland Home Inspector
If you’re having issues with your gutters, don’t wait until your home floods, get some help from a Maryland home inspection professional today. Here at Highland Homes, we’ve been serving Maryland for years and have seen more than our fair share of damaged gutters.
Don’t wait around, give us a call today, and one of our Maryland home inspectors will be able to assist you.