A gutter system’s primary role is to protect your home from devastating and expensive water damage. Quietly channeling water off the roof and away from the home’s foundation, a properly functioning gutter system keeps our homes protected from the numerous risks associated with uncontrolled runoff. In Ohio, spring storms arrive quickly, and winter ice dams can form overnight, making gutters care more than a suggestion – it’s a necessity. However, year after year, residents in Central Ohio make the same mistake, putting their homes at risk.
The #1 gutter mistake Ohio homeowners make? Neglect.
Forgetting to clean, inspect, or properly maintain gutters will undoubtedly lead to water damage in one form or another. By the time a significant problem appears, it typically indicates that the damage is extensive. According to industry surveys and local gutter professionals, more than 70% of gutter-related insurance claims stem from a lack of care. Homeowners do not intentionally ignore gutters, but between work, kids, and weekend plans, life gets busy! In this article, we aim to help homeowners understand why maintenance is often overlooked and raise awareness of the severe problems that neglect can cause. We’ll also explore other common gutter mistakes that homeowners should avoid and offer advice on how to maintain gutters to keep them functioning properly throughout the year. Let’s begin with the “why” behind the number one gutter mistake homeowners make.
Why Homeowners Overlook Gutter Maintenance
Let’s be honest: gutters are not a really exciting topic and are probably one of the last things on most of our minds. However, gutters play a leading role in protecting our homes, and therefore, they should be considered a priority for Ohio residents. Below, we’ve compiled a list of why gutter maintenance is neglected so often:
Gutters are Underestimated: Many homeowners do not realize the vital function their gutter system plays in protecting their home from water damage. Lacking an understanding of how essential gutters are to a home’s health, they are often underestimated.
Out of Sight: Because gutters sit high above eye level, many homeowners can miss signs of trouble if they are not actively inspecting them regularly.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it” Mentality: This way of thinking can be dangerous. Waiting until water is cascading from the gutters and flooding basements, or letting an ice dam form and cause roof damage, means homeowners will be dealing with much larger and more expensive problems than if they had simply performed routine maintenance.
Below are the reasons that the Ohio climate makes gutter care more demanding than most people realize:
Autumn Foliage: Madison County, full of beautiful maples, oaks, and hickories, leads to heavy leaf fall, quickly clogging gutters with leaves and debris.
Seasonal Storms: Whether it’s a summer thunderstorm or an Arctic air mass blowing in the winter, storms in every season bring high winds that blow debris onto rooftops and into gutters throughout the year.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Temperatures fluctuate in the winter months, causing freeze-thaw cycles that create ice dams.
Bottom line, just because gutters are out of sight doesn’t mean trouble isn’t brewing. What goes unnoticed will eventually become too severe to ignore. Let’s explore the hard-hitting issues of gutter neglect.
How Gutter Neglect Leads to Hard-Hitting Problems
Neglected gutters don’t just look bad; they are silently waging war against your home. When gutters fail, they can cause:
Exterior Damage: Clogged, sagging, or damaged gutters allow water to cascade down the exterior walls of the home, causing streaking, rust, and peeling paint, which can damage the outside of the house and potentially seep into the walls. If water infiltrates the walls of the home, the potential for damaged insulation, wood rot, or mold growth significantly increases.
Roof, Fascia, and Soffit Damage: Pooling water in gutters can seep underneath the roof and behind fascia boards. Over time, trapped water in the roof will weaken the structure, eventually leaking into the attic space, rotting wood, damaging insulation, and facilitating the growth of mold.
Foundation Damage: The dense soil of Ohio expands when it gets wet. If clogged gutters are allowed to dump water near the foundation, the increased pressure from the expanding soil increases the risk of cracks in the foundation. Cracks in the foundation will eventually lead to water infiltration in the basement.
Basement Flooding: Homes with basements are especially vulnerable to flooding when water runoff is not controlled and directed away from the foundation.
Ice Dams (in winter): Trapped water in gutters during the winter months is hazardous. Freezing temperatures and melting snow are the perfect combination for the formation of ice dams. Debris-filled gutters trap melting snow that can eventually refreeze and cause ice buildup along the roofline. From interior leaks to damaged roofs, ice dams are a gutter’s worst nightmare in winter.
Landscape Damage: Water spilling over the edge of a gutter system can wash away mulch, soil, and plants, causing significant damage to the landscape.
The good news? All of these problems are preventable with proper gutter care and maintenance. Now, we’ll turn to other common gutter mistakes homeowners make.
Other Costly Gutter Mistakes to Avoid
While neglect is the leading cause of gutter issues, it’s not the only error homeowners make. Below are other common mistakes that are frequently seen that cause just as much trouble:
Incorrect Gutter Slope: The slope, or pitch, of gutters must be appropriately angled for water to run in and out of the downspouts. If the slope is incorrect, water will collect in low spots, eventually leading to sagging, detachment, or overflow.
Incorrect Gutter Size: Homes without a large enough gutter trough for their specific needs and local climate can result in overflowing during heavy precipitation. Local gutter companies can provide expert recommendations on the size that best suits your particular region and roof.
Not Enough Downspouts or Extensions: Some older homes in Ohio may lack the recommended number of downspouts or extensions. Without the correct amount, water cannot efficiently flow through and out of the gutter system. Without long enough downspout extensions, water will dump out right at the foundation or basement walls.
Ignoring Minor Leaks: Just because a leak is small does not mean it isn’t spelling out big trouble. If small leaks are left unattended, they can quickly develop into major problems.
Improper Installation: Gutters that are improperly installed from the get-go are prone to leaks, sagging, and water pooling. Working with trusted gutter companies in London ensures that your gutter system is installed correctly the first time, thereby preventing problems that may arise from improper installation.
Staying aware of what’s going on in your gutters can help you protect your greatest investment: your home. That leads us to our final piece of advice, which is how to properly care for and maintain your gutter system.
How Homeowners Should Maintain Their Gutters
A responsible homeowner should be consistent with their gutter maintenance and care. Cleaning is recommended at least two times a year, with the fall cleaning being the most important. For homeowners who are insecure about their ability to clean and care for their gutters properly, or simply lack the time, local gutter companies are experts in all things gutter. To address your gutters today, set aside 5 minutes and take the following steps to assess the condition of your gutters:
- Test your gutter flow using a garden hose to determine if it is functioning correctly. Walk around the home and look for overflowing water from gutter sections and pooling near the foundation.
- Look for signs of damage, such as cracks, holes, or corrosion.
- Check all gutters looking for signs of sagging or pulling away from the fascia.
- Check the basement corners for dampness.
- Inspect the attic space for signs of water stains, damaged insulation, and evidence of mold or mildew.
During inspection, homeowners should take note of any minor issues and take quick action to resolve them. Calling a professional gutter expert not only provides homeowners with a fix to existing gutter issues, but they can also help prevent further damage by offering routine maintenance plans, ensuring your gutters operate smoothly year-round.
Don’t Let the #1 Gutter Mistake Cost You Big
If you didn’t realize the importance of a functioning gutter system before reading this article, you should now. Gutter maintenance may not seem like a significant concern, but in an area with as much seasonal variation as London experiences, the risks of water damage escalate quickly. Homeowners who take the time to perform a few simple steps, such as occasional inspections (every month or two or after a severe storm) and bi-annual cleaning, can protect their roof, foundation, and entire home from expensive and avoidable damage. Be proactive and take action today to avoid costly repairs in the future. Conduct a brief five-minute inspection to determine if you need to contact a local gutter expert who is experienced and equipped to repair and maintain a system that will be ready for whatever comes its way.