Keep reading to learn more about how to protect your home’s foundation.
When water is allowed to pool around the base of a property, it causes foundation damage. Pooling water saturates the earth along a home’s foundation, and the wet soil puts pressure on the foundation. This can cause the foundation to push inward and crack or make basement walls bow inward. When the soil dries, the pressure decreases on the foundation.
The decreased soil pressure allows the foundation to settle, which can upset walls or chimneys, causing cracks, unevenness, and leaning. If water keeps pooling around the home once the foundation is weakened, it can cause flooding or mold growth. Gutters are essential for most homes, allowing them to drain water away from the home, especially from the foundation. Keep reading to learn more about how to protect your home’s foundation.
Why are Gutters Necessary?
Gutters catch rainwater and snowmelt as it runs off the roof. The slight slope built into the gutter system helps runoff flow toward a downspout, which deposits water at least 6 feet from the foundation. Without gutters, water would pour off the eaves or run down the side of the building, potentially causing structural harm in the process.
How Do Gutters Protect Your Home’s Foundation?
A properly installed and well-maintained gutter system with a functional downspout protects against water-related foundation problems.
Water from gutters is directed to a downspout, which transports the moisture to an area away from your house where it can’t harm your walls or foundation. This ensures that excess water isn’t retained around the perimeter of your home, causing erosion.
Additionally, suppose the area around your house tends to retain water. In that case, extending your gutter system further away might be a good idea to ensure that any water collected is taken well away from your house, thus preventing any erosion.
Other Problems Gutters Can Solve
While protecting your home’s foundation is key, your gutters can do much more than that!
Water Damage and Mold Growth
Foundation cracks can lead to a problem called a “wet basement,” where the air always feels damp and musty. If the problem progresses, you could have a full-fledged flood and mold damage. Installing gutters is the key to preventing this scenario.
Soil Erosion
Homes without gutters tend to have eroded soil near the foundation. This is unsightly and increases the risk of future water damage by encouraging runoff to flow toward your home instead of away from it. Protect your landscape by installing gutters and building the soil back up around your home.
Siding Damage
Depending on the siding material, a lack of gutters could lead to water stains, peeling paint, or wood rot. Gutter installation prevents this by directing water away from the house.
Professional Gutter Repair and Installation
Thank you for considering Gutter Freedom as your preferred choice for gutter installation, protection, and repair. With over ten years of proven excellence, we bring our expertise to your doorstep and ensuring that your home is equipped with a gutter system that stands the test of time. Contact us today to experience the Gutter Freedom and Home difference – where quality, experience, and customer satisfaction converge. Please reach out to us at 727-266-0355 for the fastest service. For other inquiries, please contact us via email at [email protected].