It may not seem like your gutters are all that important, but if your gutters get clogged and water backs up, all kinds of problems can develop with your home's foundation, walls, and roof. Simply keeping your gutters cleaned out can prevent water damage to your home, property, and roof. Here's a look at how clogged gutters can damage your roof and the roof repairs you could need.

Water Might Back Under The Shingles

If the gutter trough gets full and can't drain, water spills over the side or backs up against the roof. This could lead to water getting under the shingles. The shingles might rot and the deck could sustain water damage. This could also cause the soffit or fascia boards to get wet and rot.

If the clogged gutters caused water damage to your roof, you might need extensive roof repairs. The fascia and soffit boards may need to be replaced. Shingles might need to be replaced and the deck might have to be cut out so the rotted wood can be replaced with a dry deck.

The Dampness Might Cause Moss To Grow

The standing water might keep the area of your roof damp enough that moss and algae can grow. This can make your gutters and shingles look ugly, and the moss can even cause harm. Moss holds moisture against the deck and it lifts shingles as it grows.

You'll need to have moss removed from your roof. When that's done you might need roof repairs on areas the moss damaged, such as the shingles or roof deck.

The Water Might Attract Pests To Your Roof

Standing water in a gutter trough might attract wildlife. Rodents, birds, squirrels, and raccoons may climb up and stop at the trough to get a drink of water. While there, they might take an interest in your roof. Birds might start pecking on the rotted fascia that has attracted bugs. Rodents might try to gnaw through your roof to get inside your house. A raccoon might rip off shingles and chew a big hole in your roof.

You'll want the pest damage repaired promptly to keep animals and birds out of your attic. The roofer may need to cover a hole with sheet metal. Roof repairs might include replacing shingles, part of the deck, soffit boards, or fascia boards to get rid of gnawed holes and rotted wood so pests won't be so attracted to your roof. However, it's also necessary to repair the gutters to keep pests away for good.

Reach out to a company like Performance Roof Systems Plus Exteriors to learn more.

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