It won’t be wrong to count gutters as your home’s first line of defense against water damage. An optimally functioning gutter should channel water safely away from your roof. If it is not functioning as it should, consider your home’s structural integrity compromised. Your home’s foundation is safe as long as water is away from it. And without proper gutter maintenance and timely repairs, there is no chance of a safe foundation. In this article, we are going to tell you about the role of gutter repairs in preserving your home’s foundations and some useful tips for you to ensure it.
The Link Between Gutter Repairs and Foundation
The sole task of a functioning gutter system is rainwater management and making sure that it is properly discarded without damaging your home in any way. They sort of create an envelope around your house. Water falls on the roof, travels through gutters, and is discarded at designated places through downspouts. Any chink in this envelope means that water is going to places where it shouldn’t i.e. your walls and foundation. If this is happening, you should expect cracks in your foundation along with frequent flooding of your basement. You will also see some growth of mold and erosion of the landscape around your place.
When gutters are clogged, you will see them frequently overflowing or water pooling around your foundations. The soil becomes saturated and it starts exerting hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls. Over time, cracks can develop. Under extreme circumstances, it may even shift or collapse.
The same is true with sagged gutters which happens due to too much debris accumulation and extra weight of water. The gutters start to pull away from the house, as a result. Once detached, the gutters can’t be expected to channel water appropriately. That is why it comes directly down the walls and pools around the foundation.
Slope is the one thing on which gutters are most dependent. A proper slope is what pushes water to move towards downspouts. If your pitch is not appropriate, water will stagnate. Hence, overflow and foundation damage.
Leaking gutters are another problem that could damage your structure permanently. Water may leak through cracks, corrosions, or any other damaged places. Let alone major, even minor leaks can wreak havoc on your foundations. Consider this seeping water as a silent killer. In no time, you will start seeing moisture in your walls. Over time, structural issues will become evident.
We can conclude this section on the note that if your gutters are not timely repaired, your foundation won’t stay safe for long. All of these issues are somehow linked and their collective effect can be too much for your structure to handle.
Gutter Repair Tips
The importance of gutter repairs must be clear to you by now. Here we will list some gutter maintenance tips briefly. You are advised to follow them.
- Having your gutters cleaned regularly is the most proactive approach. You can save yourself from a lot of trouble by ensuring gutter cleaning at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. A thorough cleaning will remove any debris and prevent clog formation. If you have trees nearby, you will need to clean your gutter more often. This will ensure a smooth flow of water.
- Other than cleaning, you should have your gutters inspected by a reliable gutter service. During these, your gutters are deeply inspected for any signs of damage. From cracks to rust, sagging to leaks, brackets to screws, everything is checked in these inspections. This is the best way to identify potential gutter problems and nip them in the bud.
- Never take gutter leaks lightly. Always make sure that even small leaks are sealed with water-proof sealants.
- Downspouts have a direct impact on your foundation for they prevent water from pooling around it. Always position them strategically and extend them if necessary.
- You should install gutter guards to decrease debris accumulation. In this way, you can also minimize the risk of clogging.
- Make a habit of clearing autumn leaves and securing fasteners before the start of winter. This will help you prevent ice dam formation and in handling snow load.
Gutter maintenance and timely repairs may seem too much but in reality, these are small investments with the potential to deliver massive returns. Without these, you can not protect your home from water damage and preserve your foundations. So, make them a part of your yearly schedule and avoid costly gutter repairs.
