Many homeowners frequently overlook the condition of their home foundation until noticeable issues appear. Cracks in walls or ceilings, a damaged chimney, or uneven floors all point to serious foundation trouble. Moreover, what often causes foundation issues are problems with the gutters.
To illustrate, a correctly installed gutter system directs water away from your home. As a result, the gutters protect the integrity of the foundation and landscaping around the home. Consequently, it’s incredibly important for homeowners to be aware of the relationship between your home gutter system and foundation.
Homeowners need to know how faulty gutter systems lead to foundation problems. Understanding this helps prevent expensive and stress-inducing foundation repairs in the longer term.
POOR DRAINAGE
One of the most common reasons a gutter system triggers structural harm is due to poor drainage. Gutters that don’t drain properly lead to an overflow of water that will head straight to your foundation. If the land isn’t sloping away from the home, water pools. When water pools, it’s a sure sign the soil underneath is totally saturated. This puts a significant amount of pressure on siding. Over time, this leads to destructive cracks. Following, water can seep into cracks, freeze over winter, causing larger cracks.
EROSION
After water eventually drains away, soil erosion may have already occurred. This leads to a foundation that settles differently. If you see uneven floors and cracks, erosion could be the culprit from improper gutter drainage. Cracks lead to leaks and interior damage to your home.
MOLD
Additionally, after water seeps into the foundation, the possibility of mold growth is seriously increased. Mold can spread from the foundation and basement to the rest of your home. It can creep into siding, carpeting, drywall, and all sorts of other materials. When family members start coming down with respiratory issues, mold growth in the foundation could be the source.
CLOGGED GUTTERS
Regular maintenance of gutters naturally allows for proper drainage. Otherwise, rain gutters clogged up with leaves and other debris lead to backed-up gutters. This creates rainwater overflow, spilling down into the soil, leading to flooding, erosion, and potentially, mold-growth. Structural damage is the final result.
Don’t make the mistake of depending on your foundation warranty to bail you out. Most warranties won’t cover foundation damage in the absence of a properly maintained gutter system. That leaves you on the hook for repairs.
Catch potential foundation damage early on—if you notice tilting floors, jammed doors, or windows that stick, it’s almost too late. If you have open cracks anywhere on the interior or exterior of the house, along with sinking, it’s definitely too late.
Structural foundation repairs can often be avoided with preventative action. Phoenix Siding in Nanaimo understands the importance of a suitably installed gutter system on your home exterior. Without one, your home is left exposed to water entering the home and the eventual ruination of your home’s foundation. Ask our siding professionals how our Leaf Guard systems can ensure that your gutters drain efficiently and protect your home.
Let Phoenix Siding make the exterior of your home beautiful! We have been installing cedar, HardiePlank vinyl and more since 1990. With trusted experts in all aspects of siding installation from commercial to residential new builds or renovations we can help you choose the best type for any project big or small.
Call us at 250-758-3818 or email us blake@phoenixsiding.ca today to find out more about what we can do for you!
