In the past two years we have seen a series of “100 year” storms that have brought about unforeseen challenges to the homeowner. Hurricane Sandy and nor’easter Athena devastated the Northeast and left their mark on our beloved coastline. If you live near the coast of New Jersey, New York, or Connecticut, you can thank the storm surge for your flooding. However, if your home took on water and you live inland, your gutters are most likely to blame.
Unfortunately, it often takes a tragedy to understand the importance of home maintenance and regular gutter cleanings. As global warming intensifies, these “100 year” storms will become more frequent and maintaining your gutter system will play an even bigger role in helping to preserve one’s home. When hurricanes and nor’easters strike, they bring an overwhelming amount of rushing water to your gutters. If gutters are in poor condition, clogged, and/or off-pitch, they simply will not be able to tolerate the magnitude of water funneling through their system. As a result, improper drainage will force water up and over the eaves, flooding basements, cracking foundations, and causing water to back up into your attic, resulting in water damage and potential mold.
The high winds generated by storms such as Sandy and Athena are also responsible for your home taking on water. Storm winds bring about excess debris that may further clog gutters and strong wind gusts are known to rip shingles off roofs as well as tear sections of gutters and downspouts away from rooflines, rendering gutter systems ineffective.
As your home’s best defense against flooding and mold, it is important to inspect your gutters for any repairs now that Sandy and Athena have passed and before a new storm occurs. Examine your gutter system and downspouts to see if there are any clogs. Pay close attention to the underside of your system, especially near the seams, and look for areas that are sagging, dislocated, or leaking. Lastly, if your gutter system has experienced any damage during the storms, contact Ned Stevens immediately! Winter is quickly approaching and it is imperative for your gutters to be in mint condition before the snow and ice dam up.
Image courtesy of NASA via Getty Images
