What happens if you never clean gutters?

How quickly do gutters block if they're never cleaned?

Gutters can block within a year or two if they're never cleaned, and sooner on homes near trees. Debris settles first at outlets and corners, where the water slows down. Once an outlet is blocked, the gutter fills with standing water, silt and moss, and plants can start growing in it.

What damage does an overflowing gutter cause?

An overflowing gutter causes damage wherever the water lands. The main problems are:

• Damp inside the house: water soaks into the wall and can show as damp patches, peeling paint or mould on the inside.
• Stained and eroded walls: brickwork and render develop green streaks and algae, and mortar joints wear away.
• Rotten fascias and soffits: timber boards behind the gutter stay wet and rot, so brackets lose their grip.
• Sagging or falling gutters: the weight of wet debris pulls the gutter away from the roof.
• Ground and foundation problems: water pours onto the same spot at the base of the wall, which can wash away soil and soak the ground next to the house.

Can blocked gutters damage the roof?

Blocked gutters can damage the roof edge. When water backs up in a full gutter, it can soak the bottom edge of the roof timbers and felt. Moss growing in the gutter also spreads more easily onto the lowest row of tiles. On older roofs in parts of Paignton such as Old Paignton and Polsham, timber at the eaves is often the first thing to suffer.

Why do uncleaned gutters cause more problems near the coast?

Uncleaned gutters cause more problems near the coast because standing water speeds up corrosion. In Paignton, salt carried on the sea air settles on gutters and brackets. When a gutter holds wet debris for months, metal brackets, screws and cast iron sections rust faster than they would if the gutter drained freely.

Can a neglected gutter be saved?

A neglected gutter can often be saved with a thorough clean and a few repairs, as long as the fascia behind it is sound. If the fascia has rotted or the gutter has split along its length, replacement may be the better choice. A contractor can tell you which applies after clearing it. Read about gutter repairs and gutter replacement.

How can you avoid this?

You can avoid this by having your gutters cleaned once or twice a year and checking them after storms. See how often a gutter should be cleaned and whether it's worth paying for gutter cleaning.

Answer the questions on this page to get quotes from up to four local contractors.