You may not equate your gutters to your foundation in any way, but the truth is, they are directly related to one another. How you treat one will affect the other, and vice versa. Because your
foundation health is impacted by how often you clean your gutters — or even if you have gutters on your home in the first place – it’s important to keep both elements in mind as a homeowner.
You may not think too much about cleaning out your gutters on a regular basis, but truth is, clogged gutters can prevent water flow, leading to expensive damage to your foundation. In turn, this can result in serious problems inside your home. Here are some ways clogged gutters can cause foundation and home damage.
Erosion
If your gutters are full and the rainwater has no choice but to fall right off your roof onto the soil below, this can cause the area to get soggy. This excess water will eventually lead to soil erosion which will weaken the foundation. Then, your foundation will start to wear away and crack, resulting in leaks, flooding, and in extreme cases, the collapse of the home.
Humidity and Mold
As rainwater weakens the foundation, this will increase the humidity level inside your home. If you have a basement, you will notice damp walls, which can be a breeding ground for mold. Don’t have a basement? You may see mold growing on the exterior of the home, in crawl spaces, and anywhere else that’s poorly ventilated. Removing mold is an expensive proposition, plus it’s toxic and leads to serious health concerns.
Damage to Wood
The fascia boards holding your gutter system in place are usually crafted of wood. As your gutters fill with water and debris, that moisture can rot your boards, causing spillover of the water that drains down your siding. This will weak and rot wood siding, and stain vinyl siding. Overall, this can weaken the overall structure of the home over time.
Voided Warranties
Clogged gutters can cause you to unknowingly void the builder’s warranty. This means your warranty is no longer valid if it is found that foundation damage was caused by a poorly maintained gutter system.
In order to avoid unnecessary and costly foundation and home damage, you need to maintain your gutter systems and schedule routine foundation inspections. If you notice signs of foundation problems, such as cracks or erosion, enlist the help of a foundation repair specialist right away to avoid further damage.
Contact Aftermath Structural Repair
To get more advice on the health of your foundation or to get a free quote on foundation repair,
contact us in Houston at 281-231-8904.
