What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Gutters?
Let’s be real—cleaning your gutters probably isn’t on your list of favorite weekend activities. We get it. It's messy, it involves a ladder, and it doesn’t seem urgent… until it is.
At AJ’s Gutters & Trim, we’ve seen what happens when gutters get ignored for too long. And trust us—it’s not something you want to deal with. So let’s talk about it.
Here’s exactly what can go wrong if you let your gutters go unchecked.
1. Water Goes Where It Shouldn’t
When gutters are clogged with leaves, dirt, or gunk, rainwater can’t flow through them like it’s supposed to. Instead, it spills over the edges and starts pooling around your home.
Why that’s a problem:
- Water near your foundation can cause cracks
- It can leak into your basement
- Over time, it weakens your home’s structure
Translation? That “small problem” can turn into a big, expensive mess.
2. Roof Trouble (And Maybe a Leak or Two)
If your gutters are blocked, water can back up and sit on your roof. That standing water can creep under your shingles, rot the wood underneath, and cause roof leaks.
Warning signs to look out for:
- Water stains on your ceiling
- Mold in the attic
- Drips when it rains (yep, that’s never good)
A simple gutter cleaning is way easier (and cheaper) than dealing with roof damage.
3. Hello, Bugs and Critters
Standing water + damp leaves = a five-star hotel for pests.
When gutters stay clogged, they become home to all sorts of unwanted guests:
- Mosquitoes (they love stagnant water)
- Ants and wasps
- Even birds or squirrels trying to nest
No one wants a mosquito party or rodent roommates.
4. Gutters Start to Sag or Break
All that extra weight from wet leaves and debris? It adds up. Eventually, your gutters can pull away from the house or even crack.
Why it matters:
Once gutters sag or break, they don’t drain properly—so the water just spills everywhere anyway.
And that brings you right back to... foundation problems, roof issues, and a whole lot of frustration.
5. Repairs Get Expensive Fast
Let’s be honest: home repairs are never cheap. And most of the damage caused by clogged gutters isn’t covered by insurance because it’s considered “preventable.”
So skipping a simple cleanout could end up costing you:
- Roof repairs
- Mold removal
- Foundation work
- Pest control
Yikes.
So, How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
In most cases, twice a year does the trick—once in the spring and once in the fall. But if you’ve got a lot of trees around your home, you might want to check them more often.
And if the thought of climbing a ladder makes you nervous, we don’t blame you.
That’s where we come in.
Let AJ’s Take Care of It
We’re a local, family-run business, and we’ve been helping homeowners just like you keep their gutters clean, safe, and working like they should.
Whether you need a quick cleanout, want to install gutter guards (so you don’t have to think about it as often), or just want an honest opinion—we’re here to help.
