Living on the East Coast one thing is for certain at one point or another it is going to rain, and it is going to rain a lot. All that rain and moisture can cause damage and wear and tear on your home, especially if it is not collected and diverted away from it. Damages that rainwater can cause to a home include rot, erosion, mold, and mildew issues. The best way to prevent these types of problems is to make sure that gutters and downspouts are installed on your home and that they are properly maintained so that they can do their job.
Clogs are one of the main reasons that cause gutters to not work properly; animal nests, sticks, leaves, ice, and other debris can all stop rainwater from flowing properly in your gutters. If the water cannot move down into your downspouts it will overflow and may seep into your roof area, down exterior walls, and even into the basement. The best way to prevent this is to regularly inspect your gutters, make sure that they are still secure to your home, and clear out any clogs that are found.
Downspouts are an important part of your gutter system; they are what the rainwater travels down from the gutters into. Making sure that the water from the downspouts is directed away from your home and does not pool at the bottom of them is very important. If water starts to pool it can cause damage to your home’s foundation, cause soil erosion, damage the roots of plants, and cause water to pool in your home’s basement.
In order to prevent water from pooling around the exterior of your home there are several things that you can add to the bottom of your downspouts to help direct the water away from your home. One option is to place a rain barrel at the bottom of the downspouts. These barrels will collect the rainwater which your can later use to water your gardens and other landscaping.
Another solution is to place an angled ramp or splash block at the bottom of the downspouts, however this will only prevent water from pooling if your lawn naturally slops down from your home. If your lawn doesn’t slop from your home you may need more than just a splash block. In that case a long flexible hose should be attached to your downspout; this hose will move the water a greater distance from your home.
As you can see gutters and downspouts that collect and direct water away from your home are very important components to making sure that your home and landscaping is kept free of water damage. Take the time today to check your gutter system and make sure that it is free of clogs and working properly!
If your home needs a gutter system installed, contact the professionals at Window Nation today. Our experts will be happy to help you choose which type of system will work best for your home and property, and make sure that it is installed correctly!