Your gutters are one of the most essential components of your roofing system. They are responsible for collecting rainwater on your roof and diverting them away from your foundation. Just as gutters help keep your roof dry, you must keep your gutters dry and free from clogs. A clogged-up gutter breeds stagnant water, leading to issues like basement flooding, damaged shingles, etc.

Also, stagnant gutter water may cause long-term health and well-being issues. Read through this article as we discuss the dangers of stagnant gutter water.

The Dangers of Stagnant Gutter Water

Having stagnant gutter water is likely to cause structural issues to your roof. You may also suffer from health issues if you don’t take care of the stagnant water as quickly as possible.

·       Increased pressure on the foundation

When you have too much stagnant water in your gutter, it will eventually begin to overflow. The overflowing water will mostly get deposited and stagnate near your foundation.

This is not good for you because the stagnation of the water can put extreme pressure on your foundation. Also, remember that your foundation already bears the weight of your entire house, so adding extra pressure is not good.

One way to discover if the overflowing water from your gutter is soaking up around your home is to look out for puddles of stagnant water. If there are puddles of water around your home, the soil underneath is fully saturated with water.

This water-logged soil can exert pressure on the sides of your foundation, leading to the walls’ bulging or cracking.

·       Settling foundation

Another problem with having accumulated water around your foundation is the aftermath of the accumulation. When the water putting pressure on your foundation eventually drains up, it can make it shift and settle. Unfortunately, this shifting and settling can lead to uneven floors, making cracks in your walls.

Aside from your walls, it can also cause cracks or shifts in some other structures like your foundation, masonry, and chimney.

·       A flooded or moldy basement

The stagnant water in your gutters will eventually overflow if you don’t take care of it. In such cases, it is very unlikely that the water will pass through your downspout. It is more likely to overflow and run off beside your home and around your foundation. This can end up causing the buildup of excessive moisture in your basement. Consequently, you may begin to notice molds along the basement walls.

The excess water buildup may make it easy for your basement to flood during heavy rainfall. Unfortunately, flooding or dampness can cause damage to your walls and ceilings. It may also damage the furniture or properties stored in your basement since excessive moisture often causes damp air.

·       Pest growth

Stagnant water often serves as a suitable breeding ground for Insects like mosquitoes and flies. This means you indirectly breed pests when you allow stagnant water to remain in your gutters. Since these pests carry a lot of dangerous diseases, having them around your home can have harmful effects on your health.

·       Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever

The stagnant water in your clogged gutter provides the perfect breeding environment for the growth of a bacteria known as legionella. They usually thrive well in temperatures between 68 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sediments and organic wastes found in gutters may also aid the growth of the legionella bacteria. Legionella causes Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires’ disease. These diseases tend to be similar to pneumonia and can get quite serious.

Therefore, it is necessary to avoid this disease by ensuring your gutters are free of stagnant water. You can hire a residential roofing contractor, like Shoreline Roofing, to help you clean your gutters regularly.

 

Tips For Maintaining Your Gutter

You need to constantly maintain and take care of your roof to avoid the dangers we cited in the previous section of this article. Ensure to clean your gutters regularly so that water can freely flow through them and into your downspouts.

Here are some tips for maintaining your gutters:

• Set aside two roof maintenance days at different times of the year. You can clear your gutters at the end of the spring and fall seasons. This will help you prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris.
• Get the necessary equipment and tools you will need to clean your roof. Prepare some essential tools like gloves, hose, ladder, etc.

Better still, hire a roofing contractor to help you handle it since they usually have the correct equipment and understand how to clean gutters properly.

• Think about getting gutter guards. They can help you reduce the amount of debris in your gutters and downspouts. Guards can help protect your gutter, reducing the maintenance your gutters require.

 

Reach Out to us at Shoreline Roofing

Shoreline Roofing specializes in re-roofing, roof constructions, roofing repairs, exterior maintenance, and roof inspections. With 30 years of delivering quality craftsmanship, we’ve solidified our reputation in the roofing industry.

So, if you are looking to hire roofing professionals to handle your roof maintenance duties, don’t hesitate to call us at (250) 413-7967. You can also reach out to us here.