Just one inch of rain deposits over 1,200 gallons of water on the roof of a typical single family home. Unleashed, this volume of water can be a destructive force. Intact and properly maintained, gutters function to capture and divert rainwater into a manageable flow. When your gutters can't get the job done, however, these are some of the consequences you can expect:
- Exterior wall damage. A clogged, overflowing gutter releases a cascade of water that penetrates behind adjacent siding. Water infiltrates the void inside the exterior wall and causes wood rot and mold growth.
- Foundation issues. Water from overflowing gutters hammers the ground below around the perimeter of the house. Pounding water permeates deep into the soil, undermining the foundation and seeping into the basement. During winter conditions, water penetrating concrete pores can freeze and expand, causing structural cracks.
- Landscape erosion. Roof water not contained by functional gutters and downspouts floods across the landscape of your yard, removing soil, uprooting shrubbery and plants and creating ruts and sinkholes.
- Mounting damage. The weight of standing water inside clogged gutters can pull gutters away from mounting points and damage the wooden fascia where gutter brackets attach.
Keeping Gutters Flowing Free
- Twice a year gutters should be inspected and cleaned to remove clogging debris. This may be hazardous for anyone not accustomed to working up on a ladder, so hire a service if you're uncomfortable with the job.
- During rain, visually check for leaks that may occur at seams between gutter segments. These can be repaired by commercially available gutter sealants applied to the interior of the gutter.
- Make sure gutter brackets are firmly attached to the fascia and all mountings are intact.
- Downspouts should extend at least three feet or more from the house to ensure that discharged water does not undermine the foundation or leak into the basement. Downspout extensions are available at home centers.
- Cutting back overhanging limbs reduces the amount of gutter-clogging leaves that fall on the roof.
