One of the easiest ways to prevent mold within your home is with regular gutter cleaning. This essential drainage system becomes clogged with leaves, twigs, animal nests, nuts and seeds, and moss, which interferes with timely rainwater removal. Learn why your mold inspection company in Glendale highly recommends cleaning your gutters at least twice a year.
Prevents Mold in Your Roof
When gutters remain clogged, they can cause rainwater to back up under roof shingles. As more water infiltrates the roofing system, it reaches the wooden rafters supporting the other materials. Since wood is an organic product, it provides mold spores with “food.” As spores collect, they break down wood to compromise your home’s structural stability. A dark, damp roofing system provides an ideal environment for mold, which can flourish in 48 to 72 hours.
Maintaining clean gutters allows rainwater to flow into the adjoining downspout and away from your home. The rafters remain dry and structurally sound as a result. There’s also no risk of mold spreading into the attic and triggering allergic reactions, such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, throat irritation, eye-watering, and sinus congestion.
Prevents Mold in Your Basement
Clogged gutters can allow rainwater to spill over their sides, causing more than siding damage. As rainwater pools around the foundation of your home, it can enter basement windows through assorted cracks and gaps. Since basements are naturally dark and damp, they make it easy for mold to grow and spread. The detrimental fungus can permanently damage anything it touches, such as laundry, cardboard boxes filled with books, documents, and other paper products, and stored wood furniture.
Clean gutters sidestep these problems to help you maintain a dry, mold-free subterranean space. They also prevent waterlogged plants and pooled water that attracts mosquitoes. Depending on how woody your area is, you might want to utilize gutter guards. These perforated metal guards prevent large debris pieces from entering your gutters and causing major clogs. You won’t have to clean the gutters as often with these products.
For mold removal and air quality testing in Orange County, please contact Mold Masters today.