A leaky roof or settling foundation is a big problem for homeowners, but in some cases, these issues can be avoided by taking care of a roofing component that often gets overlooked: the rain gutters. Roofing services in Alpharetta recommend maintaining your rain gutters to help prevent damage and to keep your roof and home safe from water damage. Here’s how maintaining your rain gutters properly can do just that.
Protect the Roof
Your roof is responsible for keeping you warm and dry, but that’s only possible when the roof is in good condition. One of the best ways to prolong the integrity of your roof is to make sure it’s able to remove water the way it’s designed to. Rain gutters play an important role in ensuring the water flows off the roof and away from the home. When the gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris, the water begins to back up, which can eventually allow water to settle in the valleys of the roof and form an ice dam. When water sits on the roof, it will begin to seep down through the layers of your roof, potentially rotting the wood decking underneath, which often necessitates a new roof, including new decking.
Prevent Leaks
When ice dams form on the roof, there’s nowhere for the water to drain properly, which means it will start to seep down into your attic. If left unchecked, you’ll see water damage on the ceiling and even in the walls as the water begins to soak into the sheetrock and damage it and the paint or wallpaper. Another leak consideration is in the basement. When the rain gutters are unable to direct water to the downspouts, the water will overflow and run down the side of your home. Not only does this damage your siding or other exterior materials, but it causes the water to settle around the foundation or in window wells, so water will eventually seep into your basement.
Prevent Pest Infestations
Water damage isn’t the only thing to be concerned about when the gutters get clogged from damage or lack of cleaning. Pests of all types can use clogged gutters as a home, which means they’ll multiply quickly and be drawn to your home and roof as a new habitat. Birds and rodents may nest in the gutters themselves, while mosquitoes will use the stagnant water in the gutters or on your roof to breed. Keeping your gutters clean and in good repair can help discourage pests from nesting on your roof, which reduces your risk of illness and damage related to pest infestations.
Shield Foundation
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their rain gutters play a major role in keeping their foundation safe. A well-designed and properly functioning rain gutter system should direct water from the roof to the downspouts and away from the home’s foundation. This is important because, when the rain sits around the foundation, the soil is susceptible to more expansion and contraction with changes in the weather. The more the soil moves, the less stable your foundation is, and in some cases, the foundation can be damaged significantly.
Identify Gutter Problems
It’s a good idea to periodically check the rain gutters during a rainstorm to make sure they’re working properly. If you see water spilling over the sides or leaking through a seam, be sure to get rain gutter repair in Alpharetta as soon as possible. Call Superior Roofing Company of Georgia to learn more.