Gutters are an essential component of any roof. They prevent water from dripping from our houses in a chaotic and uncontrolled manner and ruining our lives. By channeling rainwater with gutters and pipes, we can protect the sides of our house and its foundation -- and avoid getting dripped on.

Properly functioning gutters are a requirement for any home. Keeping the roof and gutter drainage system well-maintained is in every homeowner's best interest, and can save money in the long run. With proper drainage, care, and maintenance, some tile roofs can even last an entire century. How's that for bang for your buck?

The Problem With Gutters

Unfortunately, as any experienced homeowner or commercial roofing company will tell you, many gutters have a tragic vulnerability: they can easily get clogged with leaves as the seasons change.

It happens every fall; as the temperature drops and the wind blows, leaves descend from the trees on our property in a gorgeous cascade of color. Most of these leaves land in our yards, where we simply rake them into large piles several times a season. Or we take the easy way out and pay a commercial leaf blowing service to come and handle the problem for us.

However, if you have some trees that are close to your house, then many of these leaves will end up landing on your roof and tumbling into the innocent gutters that are simply there to catch rainwater. Once enough leaves land in a gutter, it gets clogged and the flow of water can be fully obstructed.

The Signs of Clogged Gutters

In the fall, homeowners must remain vigilant of any indications that they may have clogged gutters. If the problem persists for too long, the accumulation of water in the wrong places can lead to some costly issues.

Because clogged gutters can't properly divert water away from the foundation of the home, foundation damage is a common consequence of nonfunctional gutters. A damaged foundation is dangerous: it can compromise your home's structural integrity and can cost a pretty penny to fix.

Since the accumulating water is no longer being diverted, clogged gutters can also lead to issues in the basement of the house. Too much water surrounding -- or seeping into -- the basement can lead to flooding, which can very quickly cause damage to the home. Moisture in the basement can also lead to problems such as mold and mildew, posing a serious health risk to everyone in the home.

All of these issues are a huge headache for homeowners and can be downright dangerous. To avoid them, you need to keep your gutters clear of debris and draining properly. Let's get into the two main approaches to keeping your gutters clean.

Method #1 for Clean Gutters: Constant Vigilance

Many people choose to keep their gutters clean by checking on them frequently and manually clearing them out when they find debris. This involves climbing up on a ladder regularly to see if your gutters are getting clogged. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous or even impossible for people living with mobility issues.

Luckily, there are some ways to detect clogged gutters without getting out the ladder. One way is to look at them when it's raining. If you see water spilling over the sides of the gutters, this is a surefire sign that your gutters aren't draining properly and most likely have a clog.

If you see animals up around your gutters, that's another sign that you may have some sort of gutter blockage. Animals will often take advantage of the available water that remains in clogged gutters. You might see birds building a nest or squirrels hanging around on your roof more often. Plant growth is another sign that your gutters aren't draining properly.

When you notice these signs, that means it's time to get out the ladder or hire a roofing contractor to do some maintenance. If this is a frequent problem for you, you may want to look into method #2.

Method #2 for Clean Gutters: Use a Screen or Mesh Gutter Guard

No one wants to constantly have to get up on a ladder and check on or clean out their gutters. Fortunately, many roofing companies and home improvement stores have devices available that can block leaves from accumulating in your gutters.

These devices come in a variety of forms, from curved mesh screens that fit in your gutters to perforated shields that lie on top of the gutters. Some gutters even utilize pieces of foam that sit inside and allow water to pass through while keeping leaves out.

No one wants to deal with the dangerous and costly drainage complications that clogged gutters can pose. Whatever method you choose, make sure that you're doing something to keep your gutters clear. Your local roofing contractors can work with you to identify the best solution for your home. Contact All American Roofing when you're ready to improve your home's health.