Keeping your gutters clean and free of dirt is essential for them to work properly. All kinds of damages come with dirty gutters, which can result in expensive problems. But can clogged gutters cause mould?
Mould appears in damp areas that have little to no ventilation. But can this happen in your gutters? Let’s find out. To learn more about whether or not clogged gutters cause mould, continue reading.
Can Dirt and Debris Affect Your Gutters?
Yes, dirt and debris can affect your gutters. Leaves, branches and dirt can easily find their way into your gutters, leading to poor water flow. A gutter’s purpose is to direct water away from properties, especially after rainfall.
If your gutters are clogged with dirt and debris, the water won’t be able to filter through effectively. But why is this bad? If water can’t filter through your gutters properly, they can overflow and lead to water damage inside of your home, as the water has nowhere else to go.
Dirt and debris can play a huge role in the damage to your gutters, let’s take a further look into why.
Ice Dams
In the colder winter months, water buildup can freeze inside your gutters if it hasn’t filtered through properly. This can put a strain on your gutter and result in your gutters pulling away from the wall and collapsing.
Pest Infestation
Gutters that are clogged with leaves and branches make the perfect environment for wildlife to nest. This can lead to them eventually making their way into your home and nesting there instead.
While it may not seem like too much of a problem to allow wildlife to find a haven in your gutters, their nesting can lead to clogged drain systems, water damage and broken drains.
Structural Damage
The weight of dirt and debris in your gutters can weigh your gutters down, often leading to them tearing off your building and causing both structural and water damage. In colder weather, trapped water can expand, leading to more water damage.
Mould and Mildew
When gutters are clogged, it causes water damage. Water damage in your home will eventually lead to mould and wood rot, which will weaken your foundation. Not only will mould cause expensive damage to your home, but it also comes with several health problems.
Mould causes respiratory problems in humans and can be potentially toxic to humans if ingested in large quantities. Allergic reactions including sneezing, a runny nose, and skin rashes can also be caused by mould exposure.
How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?
It’s recommended that you get your gutters professionally cleaned twice a year – at the end of autumn and the beginning of summer. This is because during autumn months your gutters are more susceptible to leaves clogging them.
Will Professional Cleaning Prevent Mould?
Yes, professional cleaning will prevent mould. Professional gutter cleaning will remove all chances of water damage being caused in your home by clogged gutters. No water damage means no mould.
Water and debris in gutters can create an ideal breeding ground for mould, causing many problems in your home:
- Foundation damage
- Roof damage
- Wood damage
- Landscape damage
Our Services at Total Gleam
At Total Gleam, we offer a wide selection of services, including professional gutter cleaning. We are an exterior cleaning company who specialise in exterior cleaning of domestic, industrial and commercial properties.
We are committed to delivering the very best results to our clients, helping you to restore your property. Your home represents you – whether it’s your property or a company building, we can help. Take pride in your home appearance and let us help you with our excellent cleaning services.
Some of the cleaning services that we provide include:
- Roof cleaning
- Window
- cleaning
- Gum and grafiti removal
- Brick cleaning
- Bird proofing
- Driveway and patio cleaning
If you have any questions regarding our services, then please reach out to a member of our team today. We will be happy to talk you through what each of our services entails. To book an appointment or consultation, please contact us.
