Many homeowners may not realize this, but the wellbeing of your Kansas home’s roof, gutters & foundation go hand in hand. If your gutters & downspouts are not in good condition, you can run the risk of your roof or even your foundation becoming damaged. Damaged, broken, missing or clogged gutters & downspouts can lead to potential water damage in your home. The roof & foundation of the home are the ones that are going to be taking the most damage, depending on the location of the issue with your gutters. Proper gutter maintenance can go a long way when it comes to preventing structural damage to your home.
The purpose of gutters in any property is to protect the foundation of your Kansas home from water intrusion, decay & erosion. Downspouts direct water away from the base of your home, preventing water from pooling around the foundation. Keeping your gutters & downspouts in good condition means to clear out any clogs found within the gutters & to repair gutters & downspouts when they are damaged. Additionally, check to make sure that gutters and downspouts are secured properly to the sides of your home. A loose gutter can make way for water intrusion without you even noticing. This can lead to mold issues within the home.
Keep Your Gutters & Downspouts Running Smoothly
It is important for Kansas homeowners to maintain their gutters and downspouts on a regular basis to ensure that water is efficiently directed down and away from their homes. Debris clogs gutters and downspouts on a regular basis. In the winter, the water that pools in your gutters begins to freeze over, making gutters and downspouts much more difficult to maintain. When winter gives way to spring, it’s important to check and clean your gutters on a regular basis.
If your gutters get clogged, water will back up and flow under your roof or onto your siding, causing water intrusion. This can cause serious damage to your roof, especially if you are unaware of the leak. Leaks that go unnoticed can lead to secret mold issues in your roof and attic. Water will pool around your foundation walls as a result of gutter backups, putting your basement or crawl space at risk.
The Effect Gutters & Downspouts Have On Your Roof
Poor gutter and downspout maintenance will expose your Kansas home to severe water damage and costly repairs. Setting aside some time a couple of times a year to clean your gutters and downspouts is well worth it. Cleaning out your gutters and removing any debris that could cause blockages is important. Water may become trapped in your gutter as a result of these blockages, rather than flowing out of the downspout.
A clogged gutter will gradually leak onto your roof, causing damage to not only the roof but also the shingles and attic walls. Mold will grow as a result of water leaks in your roof. Since a new roof is such a large investment, you’ll want to keep it in good shape for as long as possible. Maintaining the functionality of your gutters and downspouts is an excellent way to keep your roof in good shape. It’s also important to have the roof inspected on a regular basis. That way, if there are any possible problems, you’ll have a better chance of finding them early enough to fix them.
The Effect Gutters & Downspouts Have on Your Foundation
Gutters and downspouts are designed to be secured to your building. Problems may occur when they become loose or unstable. The redirection of the downspout is one of the most serious problems with a loose, unstable gutter. A downspout, when in good working order, should direct water away from your foundation walls. You run the risk of water flowing directly through your foundation if a downspout is disconnected from the structure. This water could wreak havoc on your foundation walls. As previously stated, these leaks can result in mold issues as well as other issues such as building material erosion.
Gutter & Downspout Maintenance Tips
Maintaining the rest of your home, especially your outdoor landscaping, is an excellent place to begin. Learn the maintenance tips for gutter and downspout below:
Regularly Clean Out Your Gutters
Clean your gutters regularly to keep them functional all year round. Dry leaves, plastic, or other unwanted debris may clog the gutters and prevent rainwater from draining properly. This could cause it to overflow and leak into your home, resulting in water damage. You should clean the gutters at least twice a year to prevent the risk of moisture damage problems in your home.
Inspect Your Downspouts
Clogged downspouts can also cause water damage to your home. Downspout clogs are not easily visible. However, you can run a test to check them. Use your garden hose to run water into the gutters. If the water does not come out of the downspout, it needs to be cleared out.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance, at least once every six months, is the key to keeping your gutters and downspouts in good condition. It prevents severe damage and costly repair. Inspect your gutters regularly, and if you find blockages, overflow, or leaks, call professionals for maintenance.
Install Gutter Guards
Installing gutter guards is a good way to protect your gutters and downspouts from clogging. The protective guards enclose the gutter, preventing debris from entering. This will keep your gutters clean for a long time, requiring minimal cleaning and maintenance.
Install Downspout Extensions
Installing downspout extensions helps redirect rainwater away from your foundation. This prevents water from eroding the soil around your home or leaking into your basement or crawl space.
Keep Your Home Dry
Gutters are essential in protecting your home from rainwater. They also safeguard your roof and foundation from water damage and maintain your home’s structural integrity. To check if your gutters and downspouts are working properly, book a free inspection with Lamunyon Mold. We will examine the gutter system and recommend tailored maintenance or repair solutions.
