Clogged Gutters – How They Affect Your Basement
We regularly meet customers that have a basement water problem that is simply caused by issues with their gutters. We have briefly discussed clogged gutters in previous blog posts. But spring is in the air and heavy rains have already begun. We thought now would be a good time to review how your gutters affect your basement and why it is so important to keep them in tip top shape.
Why Are Gutters Important?
Gutters are an often overlooked but nonetheless important aspect of home maintenance. The purpose of gutters is to catch rain water and channel it to a downspout and away from your home. Gutters serve the important purpose of keeping excess water away from your foundation and out of your basement.
When a Problem Arises
Leaves and debris from surrounding trees can cause clogged gutters any time of the year, but gutters are especially vulnerable to clogging during fall time. When gutters are clogged, rain water may pool around the edge of your foundation. If this is left unchecked over a period of time, several things can happen:
- The extra moisture and weight against the foundation could lead to cracking or bowing.
- The soil around the foundation can erode and cause settlement issues.
- Water can enter into the basement, which can cause many problems on its own, including mold growth.
These same problems can occur when gutters don’t have proper pitch. Sometimes gutters become loose and are not fastened properly to the house.
How to Keep Gutters Maintained
Experts recommend checking and cleaning gutters twice per year. If your house is surrounded by large trees, you may need to do so more often. A ladder is really all that you need, but a leaf blower may be a big help also.
If you do not have the time or equipment to clean your gutters, many gutter contractors also perform cleaning services. They could also inspect your gutters to make sure they are properly directing water to the downspout. Also, various types of caps and screens are available to keep leaves out of gutters, but even these still require some maintenance. Regardless of HOW you clean your gutters, keeping them properly cleaned and maintained goes a long way in protecting your foundation and basement.
At Pioneer Basement Solutions, we are not in the business of fixing gutters. But we want our customers to be informed as to all the causes of basement water issues. If you have water in your basement, contact us for an estimate, free for homeowners!
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