Can blocked gutters cause damp problems?
Damp is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Staining of walls, powdery bloom on plaster, rotting wood and black mould can be the evidence that a home is affected. Rectifying the problem can be a major pain in wallet.
One of the least expensive and quickest preventative measures is making sure the gutters are in good working order. A blocked or broken gutter can cause water to overflow into a property, and it might not be clear when looking from the ground that there is a problem.
Blocked gutters can cause rainwater to flow back onto the fascia board and into the soffit void. Damp can make its way into the property, look for tide-mark type staining and wet walls at ceiling level which is a key indicator to where the problem might be. A regular gutter clearing, or camera inspection will help ensure that your home is protected.
A broken gutter, or even where constant heat/cold expand/shrink cycles have caused a joint (union) to pull apart from the guttering could cause water to run onto a wall and water can find its way through poor pointing or a window reveal. Look out for green tinges on the walls or tide marks to help identify the source of the problem.
Occasionally, we have seen a blocked soakaway or collapsed underground drain stop rainwater draining away from a downpipe. This can be very difficult to spot when a drainpipe goes directly into the ground, rather than stop above a drain grid.
The downpipe fills up with water and either escapes at a joint in the downpipe and runs down the outside or goes over the top of the gutter at the roofline. Don’t forget this happens during rain, usually heavier rain and how often do you go out in the rain to check your gutters?
Can blocked gutters cause damp problems?
So yes, blocked gutters cause damp problems but while they are not the only reason a home may suffer, it’s certainly the cheapest and easiest to eliminate.