When was the last time you gave your gutters the cleaning they deserve? If you live in a wooded area or have lots of trees in your yard, you should be cleaning your gutters at least once a year. Here in metro Atlanta, fall is usually the time when gutters get clogged with leaves and debris and a clogged gutter can lead to bigger problems down the line.
Damaged Caused By Clogged Gutters
Your roof and gutter system work together to divert rainwater off of your roof and away from your foundation. When your gutters get clogged with leaf litter and debris, it can force water up under your shingles where it can damage the plywood underneath and eventually leak into your home. Although we don’t experience freezing temperatures very often here in Georgia, just one night is enough to cause a lot of damage. The weight added by the ice that forms in a clogged gutter is enough stress to rip the gutter right off your roof. If not repaired immediately it can lead to wood rot on your trim and fascia board, insects invading your home, and even more water damage.
Foundation Damage
Your roof isn’t the only thing you need to worry about when your gutters are clogged. Engineers discovered long ago that rainwater falling off a roof has enough force to erode away at the foundation of your home. That’s why gutters were invented. When your gutters are clogged it’s almost like not having any at all. Water will overflow in the gutter and flow over the edge. It will pelt the ground and if not fixed, can lead to major foundation problems for your home. Over time this will lead to cracks in your foundation, doors and windows not closing properly, and even basement leaks.
Pests Move-In
Another problem with clogged gutters is that they can be an attractive home for pests. When pests have easy access to your roof they can easily find their way into your home through vents and cracks. Here are some of the most common pests that can make their way onto your metro Atlanta roof.
Mosquitoes
The number one concern when it comes to a clogged gutter. Mosquitoes need standing water in order to lay their eggs. A clogged gutter can make for the perfect mosquito breeding zone. Ever wonder why you have so many mosquitoes around your home? When you do your standing water check make sure to include your gutters.
Ants
All that leaf litter, pine needles, and twigs will break down over time if you don’t do anything about it. This mush is an attractive hiding spot for ants, especially in the fall. Ants of all species can be found in Georgia gutters. Once ants have established a colony on your roof you can only imagine what that could mean for your home. It only takes one ant to find the way into your home 
and then the rest will follow.
Rodents
Rodents are another huge concern when it comes to clogged gutters. Leaf litter can be an attractive nesting spot for chipmunks, rats, mice, and squirrels. Once they have moved in they might notice how warm and cozy your home is. It doesn’t take much effort for a rodent to chew through wood and make its way into your attic and crawl spaces. Once inside your home rodents can really make a mess of things by chewing through drywall, wires, and insulation.
Snakes
It doesn’t happen a lot but it has and can happen. Snakes are not attracted to the leaf litter like the other pests on this list. Instead, they are attracted to the rodents that have moved in. If you haven’t noticed, snakes in Georgia can get quite large. Once snakes get in your gutters the weight can put added strain on them and cause them to pull away from the roof.
Get Professional Exterior Pest Control In Metro Atlanta
Win the war on pests with help from Papa Turf! Our exterior pest control program targets many common lawn-damaging pests. We’ll wipe out destructive bugs and help you restore any damage to your turf. If you think it’s time to send in the cavalry, call 770-389-0884 or leave us a message online. Don’t forget to check out our blog page for more articles on caring for your lawn and trees and how to keep other pests out of your yard. You can also connect with us on Facebook, where we share the latest deals, service offerings and post photos of our work!