How To Clear Roots From Gutter Drains

How to clear roots from gutter drains

As a homeowner, you may already know that your gutter system is an essential exterior feature meant to collect water and divert it away from your home. However, if you have an open-faced gutter system or ineffective gutter guards, your gutter system may also collect fallen leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris throughout the year. Not only does this mean you may have to clean them regularly, but it also might mean that your home could be at risk of suffering water damage –especially if your debris causes clogging. Therefore, if you want to learn how to clear roots from your gutter drains, keep reading for more information.

How to clean gutters

Cleaning your gutters is an important task if you have open-faced gutters, and may also be a difficult one. To clean your gutters, you may need to get on a sturdy ladder and reach into your gutter channels to manually remove debris. Once all the waste is removed, you might also choose to take a hose and wash the inside of your gutters to help ensure dirt build-up is washed away.

It is recommended that homeowners with open-faced gutter systems clean their gutters out a few times a year to help avoid clogging and other damage. Alternatively, to help prevent injuries and the hassle of cleaning your gutters yourself, you may also choose to hire a professional gutter cleaning company to do it for you. However, keep in mind that this may end up costing you more money in the long run.

Moreover, if you are looking for a long-term solution to your gutter drainage problem, you may benefit from installing a new gutter system altogether, such as LeafGuard® gutters. LeafGuard® gutters are designed to prevent fallen leaves, twigs and other debris from collecting and clogging up your gutter system.

There are also several other advantages to choosing LeafGuard® gutter systems for your home. These benefits include:

• A one-piece gutter design made of heavy, durable aluminum to help ensure your gutters stay sturdy and help protect against all types of extreme weather conditions.
• LeafGuard® gutter systems are customized specifically to the measurements of your home to help make a seamless installation. This also helps prevent leaking from occurring throughout your gutter system.
• LeafGuard® gutters are coated with heavy-duty paint to help avoid peeling, rotting, cracking, or rusting. That way, you can help maintain your home's curbside appeal.
• Investing in a high-quality gutter system now could save you money and the peace of mind in the long run.
• LeafGuard® gutter systems can require less maintenance throughout the year, helping you leave more time to worry about things around your home that matter.
• An innovative gutter system like LeafGuard® may help increase your home’s property value should you decide to sell in the future.
• LeafGuard® uses a liquid adhesion method that allows water to adhere to the top of the gutter system before flowing into the gutter channel while helping prevent debris from entering.
• LeafGuard® downspouts are 30% larger than traditional downspouts.
• LeafGuard® gutter systems are proven to withstand 32 inches of rain per hour which is three times the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the United States.

Why is it important to clean your gutters?

As mentioned, your gutter system is designed to collect and divert water away from your property as it rains. However, traditional or outdated gutter systems may not be designed to prevent fallen leaves, twigs, pine needles, roots, and other debris from collecting in your gutter channel.

Therefore, if this occurs, it might end up clogging your gutter system, and ultimately prevent water from draining correctly. As a result, your home can be at risk of suffering from water damage that could end up costing you a lot of money in unexpected repairs. Possible damage includes:

• Damage to the siding of your home, including water staining, chipped paint and fading in different areas.
• Cracked concrete surrounding your home, including along your pathways and driveway.
• Cracks in your foundation, which can lead to an unstable home and a lot of money in unexpected repairs.
• Flooding and leaks in your basement due to excess water seeping into foundation cracks.
• Damage on your roof and upper levels of your home, including staining on your ceilings, leaks in your walls, and flooding.
• The growth of mold and moss in your gutter system.
• Damage to your gutter system, including detachment from your home and sagging as a result of increased water weight.

This is why it is recommended you clean your gutters throughout the year. Although it may be a hassle, it could help prevent you from spending money on home repairs in the long run.

How do tree roots enter pipes?

If your home is located near trees, your gutter drains could be at risk of becoming obstructed by tree roots. As water drains down the downspouts of your gutter system, it could be possible that the end of your downspout holds onto moisture. Because of this moisture, roots from plants and trees may be attracted to the water.

Therefore, they could naturally grow in that direction before growing around your downspout. Further, if you have downspout extensions that are installed underground, roots might enter through the sides of the pipes if they are older and less sturdy, causing obstructions along your gutter system.

How do roots block drains?

As trees and other plants are attracted to water in the soil, if your downspouts are leaking or holding onto excess moisture, they could naturally begin to grow and invade that specific area. Over time, the roots could continue growing into your gutter drains to not only prevent water from draining properly but could also cause damage to your downspouts, such as holes and cracking. This may be true for drainage systems that are installed underground. As you may be unable to see the damage that is being done, it’s possible that you might not notice until the damage becomes a problem.

Therefore, to help avoid roots from blocking your drains and gutter systems, it’s important to clean out your gutters and downspouts regularly to help ensure they are able to drain water away from your home. Again, you may do so by hiring a professional gutter cleaning company or by installing a seamless gutter system like LeafGuard® that is designed to prevent debris from getting into your gutter system.

To find out more about how LeafGuard® gutters can help protect your home from water damage, book a free consultation with the experts at Local Home Pro and our trusted gutter installation contractors today!