Home › Learn From The Pros › How Can Old Gutters Cause Damage to Your Home? How Can Old Gutters Cause Damage to Your Home? May 4, 2023 Gutters protect your home from water damage, which underlines the importance of gutter maintenance and timely gutter replacement. Leaving old and damaged gutters can cause issues that can lead to costly repairs. In today’s post, local gutter company Advantage Seamless Gutters takes a look at how such issues occur and how they can be prevented. Damage to the House Foundations Gutters are designed to divert water away from the house foundations. Old and poorly-maintained gutters develop leaks that can cause water to pool around the foundations. The soil around the house foundations need to be at a certain moisture level, and excess moisture from rainwater can affect soil density that may result in the house settling. Uneven settling can compromise the structural integrity of your home and result in costly repairs. Landscaping Damage Gutters also divert water from landscaping, as excess water can cause soil erosion. Often, local gutter installers design downspout extensions to ensure safe water diversion. When the upper layer of mulch and topsoil is washed away, it can deprive plants of nutrients that can stunt their growth or even cause them to wither away. Exterior Wall Damage Leaky gutters that are not functioning correctly can also cause water stains and discoloration on your home’s exterior walls. Water infiltration may also occur, which can lead to rot and warping that affects wood siding the most. Trapped moisture in the framing can also contribute to mold growth. Roof Damage Old and poorly-maintained gutters are more likely to have standing water, which can cause water to back up into the roof edge during heavy rainfall, instead of flowing away from it. Water infiltration to the roof can damage the roof deck and framing. Excess moisture in the attic may also damage the insulation, which can contribute to ice dam formation during the winter season. It can also cause mold to grow and spread sight unseen. What Should You Do? Keeping up with gutter maintenance can help keep your gutters in great condition and even help prolong their life span. However, there will be a point where gutters will need to be replaced — the sooner it’s done, the lower the risk of damage to other parts of your home. When getting new gutters, consider investing in features like seamless gutter troughs and gutter guards, which can help reduce gutter maintenance requirements and get you even more years out of your gutters. Advantage Seamless Gutters is one of the most trusted gutters replacement service companies serving communities in Baxter and Brainerd, MN. Give our team a call at (218) 270-2663 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.