When was the last time you looked inside your gutters? For many homeowners, gutters are out of sight and out of mind — until there’s a problem. But ignoring your gutters can cost you far more than you might expect.

At Acro Contractor, we’ve seen firsthand how clogged gutters can cause serious, expensive damage to homes all across New England. The good news? A little awareness and maintenance can go a long way toward protecting your home, your landscaping, and your wallet.

Why Gutters Matter So Much

Your gutter system does an essential job: it channels rainwater and melting snow away from your roof, walls, and foundation. By directing water safely away from your house, gutters help prevent leaks, rot, mold, and erosion.

When gutters get clogged with leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris, they can’t do their job — and that’s when the problems start.

The Hidden Damage Clogged Gutters Can Cause

1. Roof Leaks and Water Damage
When gutters are blocked, water backs up under your shingles instead of flowing away. This can lead to roof leaks, rotting roof decking, and interior water damage in your attic and ceilings. Over time, this moisture can weaken structural elements and lead to costly repairs.

2. Foundation Cracks and Basement Flooding
Clogged gutters often overflow, dumping water straight down the sides of your house. This water can pool around your foundation, causing the soil to expand and contract with the freeze-thaw cycle common in New England.

Eventually, this repeated stress can crack your foundation or push water into your basement — leading to flooding, mold growth, and damaged belongings.

3. Damaged Siding and Trim
Overflowing gutters don’t just harm your roof — they can also damage your siding and trim. Water spilling over the edge of a clogged gutter can soak wood trim and siding panels, causing them to rot or warp. Moisture behind siding can lead to mold and mildew problems, which can be expensive to fix.

4. Destroyed Landscaping and Erosion
All that overflowing water has to go somewhere. Often, it spills directly onto your flower beds, shrubs, or lawn. Heavy runoff can erode soil, wash away mulch, drown plants, and leave unsightly gullies in your yard.

5. Pests and Ice Dams
Stagnant water in clogged gutters can attract pests like mosquitoes, birds, and rodents looking for a nesting spot. In winter, clogged gutters can contribute to ice dams — ridges of ice that prevent melting snow from draining properly, forcing water under your shingles and into your home.

How to Prevent Gutter Problems Before They Start

The best way to protect your home from clogged gutter damage is to keep your gutters clean and in good working condition. Here’s how:

1. Clean Gutters Regularly
For most New England homes, it’s smart to clean your gutters at least twice a year — once in late spring and again in late fall, after the leaves have fallen. If you have a lot of trees near your house, you may need to clean them more often.

When cleaning gutters:

• Wear gloves and use a sturdy ladder.
  

• Remove leaves, twigs, and debris by hand or with a scoop.
  

• Flush gutters with a hose to clear any remaining dirt.
  

• Check downspouts for clogs and make sure they direct water at least 3 feet away from your foundation.

2. Install Gutter Guards
Tired of climbing ladders every season? Gutter guards are a great way to cut down on maintenance while keeping your gutters flowing freely.

At Acro Contractor, we recommend MicroGuard gutter guards, which keep leaves and debris out while allowing water to flow through. Gutter guards won’t eliminate cleaning forever, but they greatly reduce the frequency and make maintenance much easier.

3. Inspect for Damage
While you’re cleaning your gutters, take time to look for damage:

• Are there cracks, rust, or sagging sections?
  

• Are gutters pulling away from the house?
  

• Are the fasteners secure?

Damaged or poorly pitched gutters won’t drain properly — and that can be just as bad as a clog. If you spot problems, fix them promptly or call a professional for repairs or replacement.

4. Replace Old Gutters When Needed
Sometimes, it’s better to replace your gutters than patch them endlessly. Older sectional gutters often have seams that leak or separate over time. Upgrading to seamless gutters, like the 6K seamless gutters we install from Englert, means fewer joints, fewer leaks, and better long-term performance.

Protect Your Home With Help From Acro Contractor

With over 60 years of combined experience, Acro Contractor knows how to protect New England homes from the elements — and clogged gutters are one of the easiest problems to prevent.

We proudly serve homeowners across all of New England, and we speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, so you’ll always feel comfortable and confident working with our team.

Whether you need new gutters, gutter guards, or help replacing an outdated system, we deliver quality craftsmanship and reliable service every time.

Get a Free Estimate Today

Don’t wait for a flooded basement or water-stained ceilings to remind you about your gutters. Take action now and protect your home for years to come.

Free estimates are available! Call Acro Contractor today at (774) 476-9637 to schedule your gutter inspection or learn more about seamless gutters and gutter guards.

Acro Contractor — Your trusted partner for roofing, siding, gutters, and window installation across all of New England.

Protect your home. Save money. Rest easy.