It's Time to Take Care of Your Rain Gutters

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

While we hope you never experience a disaster in your home, we do know we are ready to help you restore it in the event of one

Summer is winding down, kids are going back to school, the bugs are finally abating. August also means, at least for us in the triad anyways, hurricane season is really getting started.  We might not be on the coast, but we will still receive quite a bit of rain,  and inclement weather from the spin off of the storms. 

An ounce of prevention

Here is your reminder, just in case you might need one, that the gutters have been just hanging out and working hard all summer, and probably full of bird nests, leaves, twigs, and debris. I found a bunch of Nerf Darts in mine--the joys of having a house full of little boys.  While those gutters might be working now, are they prepared for the onslaught of a hurricane force rainstorm? While the weather is still somewhat tolerable, go ahead and get them cleaned out.  

Gutters are one of your first lines of defense

One of the leading causes of Roof and Water Damage is simply water piling up, pooling, and spilling out of your house’s rain gutters. This is an issue that you probably will not notice until it has become a bigger problem. I know, that I'm not up in my attic daily and wouldn't see the ever growing water stain, until it reaches the ceiling above my bed. That would be if I am lucky, maybe that water took another route and went down the wall and into the insulation. Where there is a water source, there will eventually be mold. It will quickly escalate and become a headache. So don’t forget to clean those RAIN GUTTERS! Go ahead and trim those trees and bushes back while you are up there.  

Keeping it rock solid

Once that roof is taken care of, you should turn your attention to the foundation. The most critical roles gutters play is channeling water around and away from your home.  If there is something blocking the bottom downspouts, then the water will have nowhere to go and pool around your foundation and landscaping.  Home Foundations are what you have built your hopes and dreams upon.  Excessive water around it might cause it to leak, shift, crack, or even sink into the surrounding surface.  A house’s structural integrity depends on a solid foundation.  I’ve got to make sure and mention that you’ll also want to watch where the water is running to; is it heading straight for your sidewalk into your home, or is it settling in your flowerbeds?  Make sure to note and correct any areas that water might be pooling unnecessarily.

What if it’s too late?

While cleaning up those gutters and checking your downspouts, make sure to keep a look out for damage that might have already happened.  Home maintenance is an easy and quick task, but once an issue does arise, it might be with your roof or basement, so calling a professional is always worth it.  I know we are in a DIY climate, but the roof over your head, and the foundation of your home are critical structures designed to keep everything else in your house safe and sound.