As a homeowner in Ontario, you know all about harsh weather. From heavy snow and ice to strong winds and torrential downpours, your home’s exterior takes a beating. While you may focus on your roof and shingles, there’s another critical system that protects your property: the eavestroughs.

Often out of sight and out of mind, your eavestroughs (also known as gutters) are the first line of defense against water damage. When they are clogged, sagging, or cracked, the dangers of damaged eavestroughs can be more severe and costly than you think.

So… What Happens When Your Eavestroughs Fail?

The primary job of an eavestrough is to channel water away from your home’s foundation. When they stop working, water goes where it shouldn’t, leading to a cascade of problems:

1. Foundation Damage: This is the most expensive and serious consequence. Water that overflows from a clogged eavestrough pools around your home’s foundation. Over time, this can lead to cracks, a shifting foundation, and even basement flooding. The cost of foundation repair is astronomical compared to a simple eavestrough repair or replacement.

2. Roof and Fascia Damage: When water has nowhere to go, it backs up onto your roof. This standing water can seep under shingles, causing rot, mold, and leaks in your attic. The wooden fascia boards behind your eavestroughs are particularly vulnerable to water damage, which can lead to costly repairs and a compromised roof structure. In winter, this can lead to the formation of dangerous ice dams.

3. Siding and Exterior Damage: An overflowing eavestrough sends a constant stream of water down the side of your house. This runoff can stain and deteriorate your siding, causing paint to peel, wood to rot, and masonry to crumble.

4. Landscaping Erosion: You’ve invested time and money in your landscaping. When water rushes over the side of your eavestroughs, it can wash away mulch, erode soil, and drown your plants, ruining your curb appeal.

5. Pest Infestations: Clogged eavestroughs with standing water are the perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes. The debris and rotting leaves can also attract rodents, birds, and insects like carpenter ants, which can use your eavestroughs as a highway to get into your attic or walls.

Some Signs Your Eavestroughs Need SERIOUS Attention

Don’t wait for a disaster to strike. Look for these warning signs:

• Water overflowing the sides during a rainstorm.
• Sagging sections or gaps where eavestroughs have pulled away from the house.
• Cracks, holes, or rust.
• Peeling paint on the fascia boards behind the eavestroughs.
• Water pooling on the ground or in your basement after a storm.

Don’t Let a Small Problem Become a Big Disaster

Ignoring a damaged eavestrough is a gamble. A small, inexpensive repair today can save you from a major, five-figure repair down the road. Given the harsh weather in 2025 along with an incoming winter, regular maintenance and quick repairs are essential to protecting your home.

As a trusted roofing contractor, Ontario Tech Roofing specializes in more than just roofs. We offer professional soffit and fascia installation and eavestrough installation to ensure your entire roofing system is prepared for anything.