The rain gutters around your home are vital for water control and the prevention of serious water damage. Across the US, one of the leading causes of damaging basement leaks is damaged or poorly installed rain gutters. When water does not divert correctly through a home’s gutter system, it will follow the path of least resistance and eventually reach the home’s lowest levels.
Basement leaks caused by poorly installed or damaged rain gutters will damage the home’s foundation. This can lead to extremely costly repairs, including structural replacements, slab crack repairs, and basement waterproofing. Depending on the layout of your home and the topography of your property, it is also possible for wooden structures inside your home, such as structural framing, paneling, and even staircases, to sustain water damage, eventually rotting and deteriorating.
Damaged and poorly installed roof gutters will also lead to roof damage. If gutters are not fastened to the roof’s eaves correctly, the fasteners could damage parts of the roof and allow moisture to enter the roof bed. When gutters flood and allow water to creep back over the roof’s surface, this can also cause water damage. In the winter, overflowing or clogged gutters can cause ice dams, large sheets of ice caked in layers at the lower edges of a roof.
Rain gutter problems like these can only lead to costly damage and serious safety hazards. Ice dams can grow large enough to detach very suddenly from the roof, potentially striking someone below. Overflowing gutters can also cause water to drip and splash onto walking paths and driveways, where it freezes to form a serious slipping hazard.
Finally, professional rain gutter installation can also defend your property from pest invasion. Many types of invasive animals, from insects and birds to squirrels, mice, and raccoons, can take advantage of water damage to make their way inside a home. This is especially common in colder weather when wildlife will seek refuge from dropping temperatures. Pest infestations can easily lead to serious health hazards for everyone in the home, and some pest infestations can go unnoticed for a long time and lead to costly damage.
