Water Damage: Maintenance Tips For The Fall

At RestorePro in Sandusky, OH, we believe prevention is the key to avoiding a potential water damage disaster. It is recommended that in the spring and fall ensure that your gutters are clear of any debris that they may contain. It is very easy for them to become clogged with leaves, pine needles, and other organic debris. When these gutters are clogged you will see water spilling over the sides and not properly diverting water away from your home.

Even a little water has the potential to do a lot of damage, so at RestorePro we recommend you take a proactive approach to avoid any water damage events.

What Could Happen If You Don’t Clean Your Gutters?

Foundation Problems: If you have a 2,000-square-foot home, every inch of rain translates to more than 1,200 gallons of water pouring down your roof! A properly functioning gutter will carry that water through a downspout and away from your home. But a clogged gutter does the opposite—allowing water to spill over the sides and pour down your walls. Pooling water around your foundation can cause erosion which weakens the walls, leading to foundation cracks and settling.

Broken Gutters: When your gutters are clogged, the water they collect has no place to go. Instead, it fills your gutters to the brim. With each gallon of water weighing about 8 pounds, all that extra weight can bend your gutters or tear them away from the roof.

Wall And Ceiling Damage: Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks on the inside of your home. Trapped water can rot the wooden fascia boards your gutters are mounted to, letting moisture enter your home. And in the winter months, ice dams can drive snow to melt underneath your shingles. (Do you know how to remove an ice dam? Find out in this blog post.)

Wet Basement: If your basement isn’t waterproofed, the water pouring down your foundation can lead to a damp basement. This is caused by water seeping through your basement’s porous walls and floor. (Learn more about how installing a French drain could help with basement water issues.)

Insect Infestations: Nobody likes mosquitos in their backyard. But pooling water in your gutters can be the perfect breeding ground for them. Damp mud and leaves can also be an inviting place for bees and wasps to build their nests.

RestorePro in Sandusky, OH has dedicated team members who are there when you need us most. No matter the situation or emergency, our certified professionals are available 24/7.

At RestorePro We Care, We Respond, & We Restore.

Reference:

Metz, Justin. “5 Common Problems Caused by Clogged Gutters” Accessed October 17, 2022
https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/clean-gutters#:~:text=Wall%20and%20ceiling%20damage%3A%20Clogged,snow%20melt%20underneath%20your%20shingles.