You may think about foundation issues as a result of poor construction, changes in soil or even pest infestation. The main culprit for wet basements and the need for foundational repairs, however, is clogged and improperly working gutters. If gutters aren’t effectively maintained, over the course of a few years, leaking from cracks and gutter overflow will continually trickle down the sides of your house leading to damage in your home’s foundation. Unfortunately, you won’t know you have a problem until the damage has been done.
How Gutters Protect Your Home’s Foundation
Gutter systems function by catching any precipitation that falls on the roof of your house and diverting the water through the gutters into the ground and away from your home. As the rainwater flows through the gutter it takes any organic material caught up in the water through the gutter system which can often get trapped or stuck. This material then creates clots in the gutter system that can cause water to back up and eventually spill over the sides of the gutter, rendering your gutters effectively useless. If the clogs in your gutter system are overlooked for too long, the walls and foundation of your home can accumulate structural damage as water spills down the walls of the house, possibly pooling at its foundation. The seriousness of gutter maintenance cannot be overemphasized in the prevention of damage to the foundation of your home.
How Water Damages Your Foundation
Water will always find the path of least resistance. It can flow through the tiniest cracks in your gutter at broken joints, over gutter clogs and around gutters that have slipped out of place. As it flows down the side of your home or just doesn’t get diverted away from your home, it will saturate your lawn and pool around your home’s foundation. This can bring about two major issues along with several other possible smaller issues. Pooling water at the foundation along with saturated soil around your home creates an enormous amount of pressure on the sides of your house. If left untreated, this pressure can cause the lower walls and basement of your home to push inward or crack. As the water begins to recede or dry up in warmer or more arid months, the soil around your home may begin to erode causing the foundation of your home to settle which can cause uneven floors or cracks in your home’s walls and chimney. Since water will go wherever it can, cracks in your foundation and walls mean that water can slip into your home leading to possible flooding and dangerous mold growth.
Contact Ned Stevens Today
Since gutters are the primary means of protecting your home’s foundation from the damage of rain and snowfall it is important to have your gutters regularly cleaned and maintained. Gutter cleaning can be a dangerous job as ladders and special equipment are needed. Don’t leave the health of your home and your home’s foundation up to chance.
Our team offers trustworthy gutter repair services in Staten Island, NY and is committed to helping you protect the foundation of your house. Let the staff at Ned Stevens make gutter cleaning easy this year. Call us to receive a free quote for convenient gutter cleaning and gutter repair services. We can also help you set up an annual plan to make sure your gutters are protecting your home and its foundation year-round.