It’s invisible but insidious: all of those leaves and sticks clogging your gutter can cause damage that you can’t see. After years of clogged gutters, this debris damage can lead to the need for gutter replacement as your gutters become warped, saggy, and corroded. Here’s how you can tame this invisible monster in your gutters.

Leaves and Sticks Damage the Inside of Your Gutters

Do you want to avoid gutter replacement? Stop the damage from larger objects such as leaves and sticks. Leaves and sticks build up in your gutters, and this causes two problems. The leaves and sticks themselves can damage the inside of your gutters, causing tiny scratches that grow larger over time. They also clog your gutters, and when water pools it can lead to rust and corrosion. A regular, gentle gutter cleaning regime can prevent damage from leaves and sticks. Better yet, add gutter covers to stop leaves and sticks from wedging in the gutters in the first place.

Warped, Saggy Gutters Cause Gutter Corrosion

When your gutters are full of leaves and sticks, they also have a tendency to warp and sag from the weight. Over time, they move off their brackets, and they also move apart at the seams. Not only does this cause leaks, it also leads to opportunities for water to damage gutter areas that are less well-protected. This can lead to troubles with gutter corrosion.

Clogging Leads to the Build Up of Fine Sediment

According to a GAF Technical Advisory Bulletin,

“Copper granules have been used by the roofing industry for some time to provide algae resistance and anecdotal experience indicates that corrosion of aluminum gutters can be magnified when the gutters do not drain properly.”

This points to two issues that can damage your gutters. The first is the presence of fine sediment. This sediment can be from leaves and needles that decompose in your gutters, but it also incorporates bits of shingles and coatings. When this sediment stands in aluminum gutters, it can cause corrosion over time. Adding gutter covers that work to prevent fine debris from going into your gutters will protect your gutters from this corrosion.

Cleaning Your Gutters Can Damage Your Gutters

If you have sediment or larger debris in your gutters, you know that you need to clean them to prevent damage. However, if you don’t do it properly, the cleaning itself can damage your gutters:

• Overenthusiastic gutter cleaners use power washers to clean their gutters, which can lead to gutter damage and stained siding.
• Keen gutter cleaners who use cleaners that contain solvents, paint removers, ammonia, or abrasive particles find that they lose the finish on their aluminum gutters.
• Gutter cleaners who use a hard or metal brush can damage the finish or increase the size of previously damaged areas.

If patches of your gutters are already corroded, cleaning with the wrong materials can lead to further damage to your gutters.

At Harry Helmet, we’re here to protect your gutters. From gutter covers to gutter heating systems, we’re ready to help your gutters protect your home. Make a commitment to the health of your home – contact us today and learn more about Gutter Helmet.

Written by Del Thebaud