Hey, you know those little ecosystems you see growing along the roof line of some homes? Yeah, those aren’t good. In fact, unsightliness aside, there may be some serious trouble brewing there. So we’re going to need you to stop what you’re doing right now and go take a look at your gutters.

That’s right, we said it – gutters. (No, they’re not rooftop planters or window boxes.)

Gutters are the long, shallow troughs attached to the edge of your roof. Eavestroughs, in fact. They’re designed to guide rainwater off your roof and away from your home. Together with downspouts, they funnel water away from your house.

Since water and foundations DON’T mix, gutters are kind of essential to your home’s structural well-being. And when they get filled up with dirt, leaves and other gunk, they don’t work properly. Water spills over the sides of the troughs and can even get pushed up and under your roofing shingles. Too much water falling too...