Clogged Gutters Can Cause Damage to Foundations

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 09 March 2016 12:57

Basically, gutters are lengthy channels that are positioned along your roof’s lower edge. They are designed in a way to capture the water that runs off your roof after it has rained or once snow and ice has melted, thereby ensuring its safe passage to the ground.

The channels are slightly angled so as to direct the water towards the downspouts, and this in turn permits the water to drop to the ground in a controlled fashion. The downspout’s end is curved in a manner that ensures the water flows away from the foundations of your home. Without any gutters, or when they become clogged or defective, the water from the roof would run down the walls or fall next to your house, which in turn will form pools around the home’s foundation.

 

Water damage and foundations

If water begins to pool around the foundation, there are two major issues that can arise, together with a number of smaller problems.

Firstly, the soil below the water pools becomes completely saturated, which then places a huge amount of pressure upon the sides of your house. Given time, the pressure may cause inward pushing or cracking in the lower walls and basement.

Secondly, once the water has drained off, it can erode the soil, which causes settling in the foundation. The eventual result might be uneven flooring or cracks appearing in the walls and possibly also the chimney breast.

When cracks do appear within the foundations, irrespective that there is no imminent collapse about to occur, water will enter into the home which then causes the growth of mold.

 

Cleaning your gutters

For obvious reasons, standing water can do a lot of damage to your home. Thus, it’s imperative to maintain the gutters and keep them operating in an efficient way. Throughout the period of a year, particularly so during fall and spring, debris, which arises from nearby trees and perhaps also your yard, can become clogged within the gutter system.

Preventing blockages in the gutters means cleaning them as well as the downspouts a couple of times each year. What this entails is climbing up a ladder and then scooping the debris out, which is easily achievable by using your hands, preferably when wearing protective gloves.

Nevertheless, not everyone wishes to go up on a ladder, and in which case, you might want to employ a roofing contractor. Furthermore, there are gutter protection products that are available like screening, inserts, and covers. Though these products will not completely remove the need for maintenance, they do reduce the opportunity for blockage rather significantly.

Click the web link for more information about roof care and roof replacement advice.

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