If you think a few leaves and twigs in you gutter are harmless, think again. Clean gutters are the single most important key to avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Gutters perform one duty: controlling the water around you home. And if debris keeps them from doing their job, then you can wind up with some serious problems:

Leaking Basements: Clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Roof water overflows and accumulates around the foundation. If this happens, basement leaks may be moments away.

Cracked Foundations: Excess water against the foundation wall can weaken the footing and lead to cracks. This is particularly true in the colder months when built-up water at the foundation freezes and causes a condition known as "frost-heave" which can cause severe cracks to foundation walls.

Rotten Wood: Water backing up from clogged gutters will cause moisture damage to the wood fascia around the house. The rotted area will get worse quickly if the leak is not eliminated by cleaning the gutters.

Leaking Roofs: In winter, ice-dams can form on top of clogged gutters. Then snow builds up across the top of the gutter and freezes. During the next thaw, water running off the roof is blocked by the frozen snow and backs up into the house. This can lead to major wall and ceiling damage.

Slippery Sidewalks: Overflowing gutters can deposit water on walks and driveways where it can freeze and cause a slipping hazard. Avoid this problem by keeping gutters clean and the spouts extended away from any traffic areas.

Sagging Driveways: Misdirected and clogged gutter spouts often cause driveways and walks to sag and crack.

Washed-out Landscaping: Any newly installed plants, grass or trees can be killed by excess water. Overflowing gutters can cause severe erosion and put and early end to young plantings.

Wood Destroying Insects: Bugs love moisture. Keeping the soil dry around the foundation perimeter can force bugs to go elsewhere for a tasty snack of dampened two-by-four.

Serving the Allentown - Lehigh Valley area since 1980

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