4 Common Culprits Behind Gutter Clogs

Your gutters are in charge of water management. During a storm, they effectively guide water from the roof, through the downspouts, and to appropriate areas outside your home. If your gutter system is clogged, your roof can accumulate leaves and other debris, causing water to stagnate and overflow. To help you avoid clogging your gutters, gutter and siding contractor Custom Installations lists four common causes of gutter clogs. 

1. Leaves

The leaves that fall from neighboring trees during the autumn season are by far the most common clogging culprits. To safeguard your gutters, cut away branches that are too close to your home, or consider removing problematic trees from your property completely. Adding a leaf guard to your particularly vulnerable gutters will also help.

2. Weeds

Weeds can thrive in the most adverse conditions and often all a seed requires is a small amount of moisture to take root. If you have debris in your gutters, especially rotting leaves, you should be aware that it can grow weeds, which you should avoid. Prevent weeds from growing in your gutters by keeping your roof cleared of leaves. You should also check your rain gutter slope for any dirt build-up.

3. Bird’s Nests

Many birds are drawn to your gutters to make it their home. A squirrel or other wildlife may also move inside your home without warning. These creatures may store food on your roof and eventually cause blockage to your gutters. To deter their destructive activities, it will be necessary for you to perform frequent gutter inspections and cleanouts. You may hire contractors that offer roofing services to help you with the inspection.  

4. Muck and Sludge

If organic waste such as leaves, guano, and even animal carcasses become entangled in your gutters, it eventually decomposes into a slimy, black sludge. While this material is excellent for your compost pile, it will clog your gutters and downspouts, causing damage. Keeping your gutters free of leaves and other animals is the best way to avoid this destructive slime.

Get your metal roofing issues taken care of in no time with Custom Installations quality service. Call us at (847) 558-1967 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve homeowners in Illinois, including Lake Forest, IL.