When was the last time you gave your gutters a good look? Or put some thought to where the runoff from your roof is making its way? You may not have cleared the leaves out of those channels in some time.
It is the difference between a dry basement and a flooded one when winter sets in. We at Springfield Restoration & Remodeling have been fielding calls for water-damaged properties in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio since 1976, and you would be hard pressed to find as many of them that do not have their origins in a clogged gutter. Should the occasion arise, we are on hand around the clock at (260) 305-9199.
There is no better home maintenance chore than a fall check of the gutters and downspouts; it is virtually free of cost and will spare you some of the priciest damage a house can incur. We will explain what to make of it and why it is important.
The Case for Gutters in the Fall
A gutter system is there to put distance between your home and the water. In proper working order, the rain comes off the roof and into the gutters, is carried by the downspouts and well clear of the foundation. Not so when the system is compromised; the water will go where it is not wanted.
The autumn months put the system to the test. Debris and leaves make themselves at home in the gutters ahead of the first freeze and the heavy rains of late fall. Wet leaves will not let a gutter drain. The result is an overflow or water backing up under the roofline and pooling at the base of your home. Add in the freeze-thaw of our part of Indiana and Ohio and you have a worse situation: the standing water in a clogged gutter will turn to ice and expand, forming dams that push moisture under your shingles.
If You Put Off the Inspection
For the most part, what neglected gutters do to a home is a slow burn before it is a big issue. When we are called in by homeowners, these are the problems we put right:
- A basement made flood-prone by water at the foundation
- Repeated freezing and water pressure that has put cracks in the foundation
- Roofline fascia and soffit boards in a state of rot
- Stains on interior walls and ceilings from a leak in the roof
- Mold in crawl spaces and damp basements
- Erosion of the soil and landscaping about the house
An afternoon cleaning would have been cheaper than any of the restoration work required to fix them. We are “the water cleanup people” in this area and prefer to keep you from the trouble rather than have to put it to rights.
A Checklist for Your Gutters
One does not have to be a pro to do an adequate inspection. On a day with no rain, make sure to:
- Remove the debris, twigs and leaves in the channels
- Use a hose to see that the water runs through without impediment
- See that the downspouts put the water several feet from the foundation
- Tighten any fasteners you find loose and note sagging
- Examine the soffit and fascia for rot
- During a storm, be on the lookout for overflows
Take notice of any water stains on the outside of the house or if things are draining slowly; they are warning signs.
Once the Water Is In
A storm may come before you have done your seasonal tidying. If water has penetrated the home, how quickly you act is key. Drywall and framing will be soaked in no time and in a couple of days the mold will start.
We are here for that. Be it a case of sewage or a full blown reconstruction, we can dry and put a basement back together without passing it along to half a dozen other firms. Our technicians are versed in the latest in mitigation and containment, and with an A+ from the BBB and 200 plus reviews from neighbors on Google, we have earned our reputation. We also take the stress out of the insurance side of things, documenting the loss and seeing to it your adjuster is dealt with.
Do yourself a favour and put in some time with your gutters this fall. And should you have to call us, do not put it off. We are a locally owned operation, not some franchise, and have been of service to the community for close to fifty years. Give us a ring at (260) 305-9199, night or day.